As the Holy City grapples with various issues in the aftermath of Fani, small and big businesses face a tough time to run business as usual
Chaitali Shome, OP
PURI: In the aftermath of cyclonic storm Fani, which pulverized the Holy City May 03, tourism lies in tatters. Several hotels like Puri Hotel, Victoria, Coco Palms, Golden Tree and Sakuntala incurred heavy losses and are hence dysfunctional.
The view of the once majestic golden beach sums up the dismal situation. Besides some state tourists, the beach is completely deserted at times after the cyclone. Orissa Post interacted with tourists, small entrprenuers and hotel owners to take a stock of the situation.
Raja, a conch seller on the beach, said, “We are praying for the restoration of power every day. My income is practically gone. I used to earn Rs 350 per day before Fani. After the cyclone, I am earning around Rs 100 per day which is a petty amount. I am not able to fulfill my family’s demand.”
Horse owner Balunkeswar Sahu, a resident of Mangala Haat, said, “Due to extensive damage, we cannot see tourists in any of the hotels or the beach. Earning Rs 100 is proving to be a tough ask in the aftermath of Fanoi. I sincerely hope that the situation improves quickly so that we can earn a stable income for the survival of our families.”
Owner of a juice shop Guddu said, “My stall was completely damaged during the cyclone. My business is dead. I feel local authorities should provide financial aid to small shop owners. This would enable us to run our businesses again. With no electricity and severe damages, the city bears the look of a venue for shooting of a horror movie. Only a few GENSET lights are lighting up the main roads of the city.”
Puri Hotel owners Ashok Ghosh and Sujit Kar said, “Puri Hotel was established in 1947 and has never experienced anything like this. Never in our wildest dreams had we realized that the cyclone would damage the structure so severely. Our ceilings are completely damaged. However, tourists are coming to us due to our goodwill and high reputation. We have estimated our losses at Rs 1 crore. Until now, no government or authorities have aided us. However, we are confident that we will limp back to business.”
Tourist Nitai Chandra Basu, a resident of Kalibadi in Kolkatta, said, “The state of Puri in the aftermath of cyclone ‘Fani’ has left me speechless. Nothing can ever match Puri Hotel and its architecture which stood strong even during the cyclone.”
Even in this highly sensitive situation what has really kept the localities and some tourist happy is the service offered by famous hotel Chung Wa and its ever hospitable owner Alfred Lee who despite being at loss opens his hotel everyday for people to come and eat some good food.
When queried about how he limped back to business just three days after Fani, he said, “I was inspired by small tea stall owners who kept their shops open even during the cyclone. I thought to myself, if they can open their small shops to serve people why can’t I? So this hotel opened by my father S S Lee 48 years back stood by the people after the calamity.”
Owner of Golden Tree Ravi Sahu said, “Doors, windows, signage, TV, AC and solar geysers and water treatment plants among others are severely damaged. Nevertheless, the process of complete power restoration is on process and every hotel owner is supportive of others in this hour of need.”
Despite a significant setback to the tourism sector in the aftermath of Fani, tourism department officials and hotel entrepreneurs are hopeful that the Holy City will limp back to business as usual.