Bhubaneswar: In its bid to revive the tourism industry that has been adversely affected by the ongoing pandemic, the state government is exploring several novel avenues. River cruising has been its latest initiative in the direction.
“Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy has directed the Department of Tourism to start river cruising in the state. He gave this direction while exploring the possibilities of innovative tourism activities in a high level meeting with experts and stakeholders on digital mode on Thursday”, stated officials of the Information and Public Relations Department.
“River cruising itself is compatible with Covid-19 restrictions. There is a huge scope and latent market for world class river cruising in Odisha. It can also be connected with many eco-spots and refill the economic activities in the sector”, Tripathy maintained.
State Tourism Secretary Vishal Dev outlined the issues and presented the updates for discussion. Discussions show that presently three principal river cruise circuits can be developed in the State.These are river Mahanadi, Chilika Lake and Dangmala reserve forest including the national water way – 5 from Dhamara to Paradeep. Bhitarkanika circuit can connect the spots like Chandbali-Aradi-Dhamara-Khola and other spots in Bhitarkanika, he pointed out.
This circuit can be a 5 nights and 6 days’ cruise. Chilika circuit can connect Chilika, Kalijai-Nalabana-Honeymoon island Mangalajodi-Satapada-Rajhans island-Satapada and Puri. It could be a 3 night and 4 days’ cruise, Dev added.
The meeting deliberated for organizing this activity through Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode, the officials said
The issues relating to various regulatory permissions, compliance to pollution norms, river jetties and bar license were discussed and resolved in the meeting. The Chief Secretary assured that the government would provide all facilitating support for this activity, it was learnt.
State PPP cell was advised to work out the details in consultation with Department of Tourism and Odisha Tourism Development Corporation.
Tripathy has asked Tourism department to coordinate with Inland Waterways Authority regarding statutory requirements.
Among others, Development Commissioner Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Additional Chief Secretary Forest & Environment Mona Sharma, Principal Secretary, Finance Ashok Kumar Meena, Principal Secretary Water Resources Anu Garg, Secretary Tourism Vishal Kumar Dev and Director, Tourism Sachin Ramchandra Yadav participated in the deliberations.
