Dhenkanal: Dhenkanal’s famous tourist spot Saptasajya is all set to get a facelift soon as the road map for the project has already been prepared. The matter came to the fore after a team of representatives led by Sub-Collector Snigdharani Dhal visited the spot recently.
According to reports, the main road from the entrance gate to the temple will be electrified with the laying of cables to facilitate the illumination of the whole tourist spot. The blueprint also proposes to clean the water of the natural stream along with rock packing on both sides to control soil erosion. Rest houses for tourists and devotees will be built inside the temple premises, said the report.
Two selfie points will be set up at the picnic spot and on the temple, premises to make the nature trail packed with pleasant memories for the visitors. Apart from that, an attractive road will be built from the beat house to the temple.
A parking area will come up near Goddess Jenadei temple or the picnic spot. The ‘pindi’ and its nearby area will be kept clean and will be given the utmost preference for development. A new ‘pindi’ or altar will also be constructed considering the situational requirement. Two bore wells will be drilled to tackle the drinking water needs. Signage will come up on both sides of the road to guide the tourists.
The Tourism department has already sanctioned Rs 4.80 crore for the development project. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has also announced another Rs 50-crore grant for six tourist places in the district along with Saptasajya. Rs 5 crore from the Rs 50-crore grant will be utilised at Saptasajya, the report suggested.
Notably, a meeting was organised under the chairmanship of the District Collector Saroj Kumar Sethi for the development of Saptasajya. Following the meeting, a representative team under Sub-Collector Snigdharani Dhal visited the place. ZP chairman Archana Puhan along with ACF Subrat Kumar Patra, Deputy Collector (Judicial, Endowment) Harihar Panchuati, sarpanch Abhimanyu Behera and other government officials reviewed the place during their visit.
Notably, Saptasajya is a unique tourist place that attracts tourists from the state and outside throughout the year with its scenic beauty. Apart from that, people also gather here at different times of the year to celebrate festivals like Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, Kartik Purnima, Dussehra, and other festivals. Despite the footfall, this tourist place is yet to get a proper facelift. The recent intervention of the district tourism department is getting appreciation from all quarters, especially the locals.