Fund Crunch Hits Eco-tourism Project.

The State Government's plan to promote and develop tourist spots seems to have gone disarray. The eco-tourism project, which was taken up in Mayurbhanj district in 2011, remains incomplete till date due to lack of funds.

Sources said the project work at Manchabandha on the outskirts of Baripada town has been abandoned midway. The project included digging of water bodies, landscaping of open space, well-designed roads, water supply, rest sheds for tourists and recreation centres. While the budget of the project was estimated at around Rs. 10 crore initially, it was reduced to Rs. 9 crore later.

Baripada DFO Sanjay Kumar Swain said even as project cost was estimated at Rs. 9 crore, the Government agreed to allot Rs. 50 lakh and sanctioned Rs. 20 lakh in the first phase. Digging work was started with the fund. It was, however, stopped after local villagers opposed the project. Though they were pacified later, the work has been hampered due to fund crunch, he added.

The villagers of Bagdia, Mahulia, Goudadiha and Swarupvilla had given green signal to the project at a gram sabha held on February 22, 2012. The proposed project was named as Sri Ram Batika.



THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS