The site development works at important tourist places like Nrusinghanath, Harishankar, Bhitarkanika and Chandrabhaga were fast-tracked with Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra taking a review of the progress in a high-level meeting held here on Thursday. Tourism Principal Secretary Surendra Kumar outlined the techno administrative issues and updates for discussion.

                Mahapatra directed that the site development projects would be executed through the Works Department for expeditious implementation. After setting up the necessary facilities at Bhitarkanika, the Works Department would hand over the assets to the Department of Forests, Environment and Climate Change for sustainable management. Mahapatra also directed to manage the sites through committees involving the local stakeholders. Local WSHGs would be involved in hospitality, sanitation and upkeep, etc., to the fullest feasible extent on the spots.

                For Bhitarkanika, facilities would be developed in four principal zones, Dangmal, Gupti, Khola and Chandbali. The primary interventions would include setting up of the cottages, laying of floating jetties, development of arrival plaza, common facility centres, interpretation centres, facilities for wildlife sighting, toilets, parking and other facilitation infrastructure.

         Land for the projects would be acquired and developed by the IDCO near Gupti, Khola, and Kasturikana. The entire project would be undertaken in three phases. In the first phase, Rs 46.23 crore would be invested for creation of high-priority facilities. Boating and beach sight facilities would be developed at Chandrabhaga at a cost of Rs 42 crore. The works at Nrushnghanath and Harishankar would be done with an investment of Rs 46 crore.