PURI: The heritage village of Raghurajpur in Puri district which had been attracting tourists and art lovers from across the country and abroad is waiting for the day when the promises made to it becomes a reality.
A visit to the heritage art and craft village Wednesday revealed that many proposals announced either by the Union Tourism Ministry or the state Tourism Department is yet to see the light of the day.
Villagers complained that the much awaited common facility craft centre has not been opened, and there are many other projects which have been delayed or ignored.
“Many tourists come to our village, but households which are near the entry point of the village bag most of the business, killing the chances of those inside. Some tourists see just the first 10 houses and return thinking the village ends there. The absence of a common facilitation centre is adding to our woes,” Gourang Maharana, an artiste who makes papier mache, told Orissa POST.
In 2015, to mark Nabakalebara, the Union Tourism Ministry proposed an outlay of Rs 10 crore to develop the village. The state government promised to invest Rs 15 crore in the village.
The tall claims by these agencies included public toilets, streetlights, common facility centre and giving a uniform look to the village by assisting in painting the front sides of houses with the same colour. However, these proposals remain only on paper. The absence of a common centre is preventing artistes from bagging good business.
Some villagers said the facilities provided by the government did bring positive changes. However, various proposed developments are eluding the heritage site.
“Things like building toilets for households, good roads, underground wiring among others have been provided by the government, but a library and a common facilitation centre are yet to be initiated,” said Avkash Nayak, a 52-year-old expert in Pattachitra paintings.
The villagers said that lodging facilities have been arranged for tourists and researchers who want to stay in the village for a few days to understand art or conduct research. However, absence of public toilets is creating hygiene issues.
People residing at the edge of the village said that due to lack of proximity to the entry point, many visitors are not visiting them and their business prospects have been hit. Several experts are of the opinion that interest of art lovers for the village has increased. A helping hand from the government can do wonders, they added.
Leena Das, a 32-year-old artiste from the village who works on silver decorative arts said, “We see a bright future for our art. Footfall of buyers and tourists in our village is increasing slowly. The number of artistes in the village has also increased. With government support the village can indeed prosper.”
Manish Kumar, OP
