Participants of the river rafting expedition on their way to Paradip. Telegraph pictures

Sambalpur, Aug. 2: Twenty-three young rafters strapped on their lifejackets and rowed away from Kacheri Ghat today to embark on an expedition that will take them down the Mahanadi river all the way from Sambalpur to Paradip.

A huge crowd gathered at Kacheri Ghat to wish bon voyage to the rafters of the National Adventure Foundation, Odisha Chapter, which has organised the nine-day river rafting expedition. The expedition was flagged off from Kacheri Ghat.

The expedition sponsored by the State Youth Welfare Board, Odisha, and the department of sports and youth services will cover 486km.

Ten female and 13 male rafters are taking part in the expedition. Two instructors are also accompanying the participants.

“The young participants have been trained in rescuing people from drowning and rafting. They have been provided with lifejackets. We will reach Paradip through Sonepur, Boudh, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara,” said director of the National Adventure Foundation, Odisha Chapter, Rabindra Kumar Bhuya, who is accompanying the team.

This is the second time a river rafting expedition has started from Sambalpur. A rafting expedition to Paradip from Sambalpur was organised in 2009.

The participants started the expedition in two rubber rafts. Every day, the expedition will start at 7am. The rafters will rest at night halt camps in Ulunda, Sonepur, Boudh, Bhitarkanika, Banki, Cuttack, Danpur and Bhutmundei during the expedition.

Participant Anadi Dansana of Sonepur said: “This is my chance for adventure. After participating in the event, I can use the skills I learn to help people during floods.”

“I have come here to wish the youths who have dared to participate in this adventurous expedition. This is a praiseworthy effort and will surely give a boost to adventure sports,” said Rudra Madhab Pradhan, a resident of the city, who had come to the Kacheri Ghat to cheer the participants.

Another visitor to ghat, Sambit Mohapatra, said: “I am really happy to come here to wish these courageous youths. The government should take steps to arrange for this kind of expeditions. This event will influence youths of the state to get adventurous.”