Puri administration develops ‘Niladri beach’ to woo tourists
The administration has developed an amphitheatre, landscape, lawn, garden, beach huts, desk chairs and sports …Read More
BHUBANESWAR: The Puri district administration has named a portion of the seashore as ‘Niladri beach’ and developed recreation facilities among other infrastructure to attract tourists. Tourists will pay a user fee, whose amount is being finalized, to visit Niladri beach.
The administration has also engaged a private agency for operation and maintenance of the 500-metre beach located between Bankimuhan and Mayfair hotel. Another company has agreed to sponsor around Rs 40 lakh that will be spent towards the maintenance of the beach.
The administration has developed an amphitheatre, landscape, lawn, garden, beach huts, desk chairs and sports equipment at Niladri beach. Plans are afoot to introduce various recreation activities for the children.
This is the first time a portion of the beach has been specially developed to provide additional recreational facilities to tourists. Though Puri town has the 7-km beach, poor upkeep and unclean ambience has been a bane for tourists for a long time. Vendors and hawkers often pester the tourists, who would struggle to stroll on the beach.
“Niladri beach will be a perfect place for those tourists, who would look for peace and tranquillity. They will enjoy the beach amid greenery. The private agency will keep the stretch free from garbage and solid waste. The agency will ensure regular cleaning of the toilet, landscape area and amphitheatre,” Puri district collector Balwant Singh said.
The implementing agency will deploy private security guards to prevent unauthorized entry of visitors and ensure safety of the tourists in Niladri beach. “The agency will also engage trained lifeguards for safe sea bathing of tourists. A visitor help desk, grievance redressal system and lost & found kiosk with public address system will be introduced,” Singh said.
The district administration has decided to allow various cultural activities, sports and educational events related to beach protection and environment at the Niladri beach. “We will allow the agency to work out a detailed action plan for optimum revenue generation for its sustainable maintenance after due consultation with the administration. Revenue can be generated by collecting user charges, entry fees, advertisement rights, stall rent, charges for organising events and development fee from nearby hoteliers,” the district collector said.