Bhubaneswar: In a major initiative to boost tourism infrastructure and encourage women-led entrepreneurship, the Odisha government has operationalised 68 Way Side Amenity Centres (WACs) across 25 districts along key National and State Highways.
Developed at an investment of around Rs 25 crore, the centres have been renovated, restored and modernised by the Tourism Department to provide better facilities and a comfortable travel experience for tourists and commuters.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida interacted with members of Women Self-Help Groups (WSHGs) engaged in operating the centres and discussed their experiences, operational challenges and the scope for expanding wom en-led enterprises. Appreciating their entrepreneurial efforts, Parida urged the SHG members to serve quality, hygienic and nutritious traditional Odia cuisine, promote indigenous products and ensure warm hospitality for visitors.
She emphasised that the centres should emerge as platforms for showcasing Odisha’s rich culinary heritage while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for women. The initiative is expected to strengthen women’s financial independence, encourage grassroots entrepreneurship and contribute to the rural economy.
All 68 centres offer essential facilities, including clean toilets, safe drinking water and comfortable resting spaces, free of cost.
Travellers need to pay only for food and beverages purchased from the SHGs operating the facilities. For round-the-clock safe ty and convenience, the centres have been equipped with CCTV surveillance systems, while DG sets and inverters have been installed to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
For effective operation and maintenance, eight contractual personnel have been engaged at each centre through CFMS agencies. The deployment includes 204 security personnel, 272 sanitation workers and 68 maintenance staff, taking the total workforce to 544.
The government aims to develop these centres as symbols of Odisha’s hospitality, cleanliness and safety while improving the travel experience and providing women SHG members with an institutional platform to expand their entrepreneurial activities.