Bhubaneswar: The panchayat elections in Bengal has adversely impacted the inflow of tourists in Puri.

The number of tourists from Bengal has dropped more than 50 per cent than the usually footfall registered during summer vacation days.

Right from tourist operators to rickshaw pullers on the streets, everybody is feeling the pinch.

The Jagannath temple and the sprawling beach here are the major attractions that draw thousands of tourists from Bengal.

"From the feedback that we have received from stakeholders thriving on tourism business, the panchayat polls has led to the decline of Bengali tourists' visit," said Puri tourist officer Bijoy Jena.

"Things will brighten up after May 17 when the election process will be over in Bengal. We have several bookings post-panchayat polls," said Shamakant Pattnaik, a tourist operator in Chandan Hazuri road in Puri.

"Many tourists from urban pockets of Bengal are visiting Puri but the rural people of the neighbouring state are not coming," Pattnaik said.

The economy class hotels are mostly hit by the Bengal panchayat polls. However, the flashy and trendy hotels on the sea beach are not affected.