Chandipur beach

Balasore, May 8: The district administration here is taking initiatives to protect the popular Chandipur beach from erosion.

In a meeting today, the authorities discussed measures to spend a central assistance of Rs 1.56 crore for stone patching of the beach to prevent coastal erosion and to make the tourist spot more attractive.

For this project, the district administration has joined hands with a development committee consisting of local hoteliers, political leaders, marine police, district tourist officer and the members of beach festival committee.

The development committee has chalked out a plan to meet the expenditure incurred towards cleaning, maintenance, illumination and other infrastructure development of the beach.

“We have received an amount of Rs 1.56 crore in the first phase from the Centre to meet the expenditure for implementing the measures discussed today,” said district collector Akhil Bihari Ota.

“We have formed a sub-committee headed by the sadar tehsildar who will monitor the beach affairs on regular basis,” he added.

To raise the funds, it has been decided that each lodge will charge an additional Rs 10 per room instead of Rs 5 earlier and the beachside vendors will also have to pay a monthly fee of Rs 100 instead of Rs 50.

“The sub- committee will meet at least once every month and will look after both protection of the beach and its development,” said sadar tehsildar Pinaki Patnaik.

The Chandipur beach is a very popular tourist destination. It is considered a wonder of the nature where the sea recedes by as much as five kilometres twice a day.

“Apart from saving the beach from erosion, steps have been initiated with the help of local hoteliers to maintain the beach and provide adequate toilets, parking space and illuminate the streets. The funds generated from private sources will be utilised for the purpose,” said Balasore tourist officer Harekrushna Sial.

The tourism department has also sent a proposal asking for an aid of Rs 50 crore to develop a mega circuit connecting Chandipur, Talsari of Bhograi and Dagara of Baliapal beaches.

“The tourism potential of the district and the neighbouring areas can be tapped more effectively if we can sell them as a package tour for residents of metro cities such as Calcutta, Chennai and Mumbai,” said Chandipur beach festival committee secretary Bismay Mohanty.