New Delhi (NVI): The Odisha government announced that it is planning to start river cruises on public private partnership (PPP) mode to revive the tourism sector amid COVID-19 pandemic.
During a virtual meeting with industry experts and stakeholders, Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy directed the tourism department to chalk out modalities while exploring possibilities of innovative tourism activities.
“River cruise is compatible with COVID-19 restrictions. There is a huge scope and latent market for world class river cruising in Odisha. It can also be connected with many eco-spots and refill the economic activities in the sector,” Tripathy said.
Tourism Secretary Vishal Dev said that presently three principal river cruise circuits can be developed in the state.
These are river Mahanadi, Chilika lake and in water bodies in reserve forest near Dangamala including the national water way-5 from Dhamara to Paradip, he added.
Bhitarkanika circuit can connect the spots like Chandbali-Aradi-Dhamara-Khola to other spots in Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary. This circuit can be a five nights and six days cruise.
Similarly, Chilika circuit can connect Chilika, Kalijai-Nalabana-Honeymoon island-Mangalajodi-Satapada-Rajhans island-Satapada and Puri. It could be a three night and four days cruise.
Furthermore, the meeting deliberated for organizing this activity through public private partnership (PPP) mode. The issues relating to various regulatory permissions, compliance to pollution norms, river jetties and bar license were also discussed at the meeting.
The chief secretary said the government will provide all facilitating support for this activity. He also asked tourism department to coordinate with Inland Waterways Authority regarding statutory requirements.
However, the state PPP cell was advised to work out the details in consultation with department of Tourism and Odisha Tourism Development Corporation.
Odisha logged 3,631 new coronavirus cases and 8 deaths in the last 24 hours, which have taken the state’s tally to 1,13,411.
-RJV
