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State taps tourism potential in villages

BHUBANESWAR: The Union Tourism Ministry has given its nod to include four Orissa villages under its ambitious Rural Tourism Promotion Project .

Sources in the State Tourism Department revealed that the Ministry has included Hirapur near Bhubaneswar, Barapali of Bargarh district, Padmanavpur of Ganjam district and Angul’s Deuljhari village under the unique scheme.

Three other villages - the artists’ village Raghurajpur near Puri, Pipli popular for its applique art and the historic Khiching - have already been covered under the project.

Realising that the real India exists in its villages, the stake holders of tourism sector have geared up to explore all possibilities to lure foreign tourists to the villages, explained a senior officer of the tourism directorate.

Padmanavpur, famous for silk sarees, will receive a grant of Rs.67.61 lakh, Hirapur, known for tantric temple of 64-yoginis will get Rs.50 lakh. Similarly, Deuljhari that attracts tourists to its exquisite waterfall and the weavers’ village of Barapali that boasts the famous tie and dye will receive Rs.50 lakh each.

The grant will be utlised for infrastructure development of the villages including construction of pitch roads, electrification of the site, rest shed for tourists and mini markets showcasing Orissan art and crafts for sale.

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