Complete Konark tourist facility project by April next: Union Min

Interpretation
Centre by Sept this year

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on
Wednesday directed the concerned officials to complete the tourist facilities
and peripheral development project at Sun Temple complex at Konark latest by
April 2015 in view of the ensuing Nabakalebara festival of Lord Jagannath.

While reviewing the progress
of the project with the officials of Indian Oil Foundation Trust (IOF) of
Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC), which has been entrusted to develop the
project at a cost of Rs 36 crore, the Minister directed them to expedite the
work on its front.

The IOF officials gave
a detailed presentation on the facilities proposed to be constructed at Konark
to the Minister.

The officials apprised
the Minister that the construction works is at standstill due to encroachment
of the land.

The Minister said a
state-of-art Interpretation Centre with facilities such as audio-visual centre,
descriptive galleries, souvenir shops and other facilities would be developed
to explain the tourists the history and science behind the Sun Temple and the
great cultural and historical tradition of the State.

It was decided that the
work for the Interpretation Centre would commence in September 2014.