Post News Network
Cuttack, Jan 16: In a bid to preserve maritime glories of ancient Orissa and bolster tourist inflow, the water resources department has launched an ambitious project to link river Mahanadi with the city’s Maritime Museum to facilitate boating along the stretch.
According to museum director Basudev Mohapatra, “The government has allocated `35 lakh to dredge a channel linking the museum with River Mahanadi. A large galley at the museum will be kept afloat as a monument of maritime glory.” Work at the museum and the Jobra harbour has commenced, Mohapatra added.
The Maritime Museum near Jobra along riverbank was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik August 21 last year. The place used to be a boat manufacturing unit during the British-raj, said sources.
As part of his dream project, the Chief Minister has decided to accord workshop status to the museum. The state government has also sanctioned `10.70 crore to give the structure a museum shape.
The museum has galleries, a library, an open air auditorium, a research centre, a restaurant, children’s room, multi-media hall and a temporary exhibition hall.
In order to attract tourists, British era cannons, clocks, lanterns, ancient machinery and equipment, a launch and a boat were put up for display at the museum.
In the wake of increasing tourist inflow into the museum, the water resources department has prepared a mega plan to connect river Mahanadi with the museum.
Water resources department executive engineer Ashok Samal said, “The work on linking the river with the museum has started after putting out tender. The age-old launch harbour is in a bad shape and requires renovation.”
Efforts are being made to create a boating facility to entertain tourists, he added.
