The Samikhsya Bureau
BHUBANESWAR: The Department of Tourism has introduced water sports on the right dyke of Hirakud Dam near Jhankarani temple in Burla in a bid to boost tourism in the region.
Commerce and Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera and chairperson of Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) Shreemayee Mishra jointly inaugvurated it on Thursday.
Speaking on the occasion, Mishra said the State government is laying thrust on development of tourism in Odisha. As part of the efforts to promote adventure tourism, subsidy is being provided to firms interested in setting up facilities at tourist spots across the State, he stated.
Bhubaneswar-based firm Akela Adventure Private Limited has been entrusted the task of running and managing water sports activities at the reservoir.
Water sports like jet ski, speed boats, water scooter, bumper boat, banana boat, kayak and paddle boat will be available for tourists at the reservoir between 8 am and 6 pm for prices ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 1,500.
For security reasons, a limited area of the reservoir has been demarcated for water sports and the firm responsible for managing the activities will be allowed to operate only within the area, the officials explained.
