Bhograi: Bhograi, enriched with a nice beach, is a major component of the tourist circuit in Balasore district, but its tourism potential has not been tapped as is done in the case of nearby Digha beach in West Bengal.
The area is endowed with natural beauty. Three beautiful beaches – Talsari, Udaypur and Kirtania are in the tourist circuit. The area is also famous for the Shaivite shrine of Chandaneswar where Chadak Mela is organised every year. The biggest Shiva lingam of Asia, Bhusandheswar, is located on the banks of river Subarnarekha while several other temples dot the area.
In view of this, Bhograi has assumed a special place in the tourism map of Orissa. However, it is a pity that despite the huge tourism capacity of the area, both the state and Central governments have given short shrift to development of Bhograi’s tourism infrastructure.
The Bengal government has developed Digha as a famous tourist destination where the sector is booming. The government earns huge revenue from Digha’s tourism sector.
In comparison, Talasari and Udaypur beaches are more attractive, but have failed to attract tourists in large numbers and sometimes look desolate.
To boost tourism, the government has been organising Talasari Beach Festival every year since 2011 with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurating it.
The government has made Talasari, Dagara, Chandipur and Nilagiri, parts of a triangular tourism circuit while the Chief Minister had promised to develop the places as world-class tourist spots with an investment of Rs 800 crore. But work of the projects is moving at tardy pace.
As two high mast lights at Talasari are not working for a long time, tourists do not feel safe to stay in the beach at night. With efforts of higher education minister and local MLA Ananta Das, some projects have been taken up. They include the Biju Patnaik Park at a cost of Rs 15 lakh at Udaypur beach, a Rs 1.5-crore foot-over-bridge at Subarnapur, a Rs-13 crore marine drive project from Talsari to Udaypur. However, the pace of projects is rather slow while the park project has been abandoned halfway.
Sarpanch Tapan Panda noted, “If the government has to develop Talasari-Udaypur like Digha, all project works need to be taken up on a war footing.”
Former MP Kartikeswar Patra said tourism at Bhograi doesn’t develop owing to political and official apathy.
Former MP Aira Kharvel Swain said, “Tourism here needs right push. Looking at the booming tourism sector at Digha, we have to hang our heads down with shame.”
Local MLA Ananta Das said, “A planning authority development committee has been formed by taking 26 villages from Udaypur to Bhusandheswar. The previous governments had not carried out development of tourism. Our government has undertaken a lot of work for the sector. To promote the hospitality industry at Talasari and Udaypur, the government has handed over 50 acres of land to Orissa Tourism Development Corporation. Development process is on and all need to cooperate.” PNN
