The under-construction tourism complex in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, July 29: The tourism department has stepped up the construction of the modern tourism complex near Khandagiri and Udaygiri hills. The authorities hope it would be completed in six months.

The new complex has been divided into two parts — an interpretation centre and a common facility centre.

Construction of the interpretation centre has been completed with the authorities floating a tender to screen 3D films. The interpretation centre has a total of six buildings and the authorities have requested B.K. College of Art and Crafts to set up two art galleries in two of these. Two others will have cafeterias, which would serve Odia dishes to visitors. The fifth would be used as an information centre to provide all relevant information about the various tourist destinations of the state. The last one will have a 3D movie theatre to screen short films on the historic places of the state.

Sources in the state tourism department said the theatre would screen the movies with special effects. “Visitors can feel the smell and vibrations. This will be the first-of-its-kind theatre in the state,” said a senior official of the department.

The complex will have three parking lots. Work is in progress to complete the their construction. The parking space, with an area of 60,000sqft, would be able to park not only two-wheelers and cars, but also buses.

Construction of the common facility centre to promote artisans in stone, brass and bell metals, fibre art, applique, terracotta and pattachitra work is also almost completed. The handicrafts department will maintain this centre. The tourism complex will serve as a cultural hub to help tourists.

The tourism complex, which is coming over two acres, is an ambitious project of the tourism department.

The common facility centre is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 76 lakh while the interpretation centre would cost another Rs 4 crore. The complex will have ornamental light posts and the authorities have already completed the job of erecting the posts. A number of plants are also supposed to be planted inside the complex.

Senior divisional manager of the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation J.K. Das said the construction would be over in six months.

“We have already floated a tender for the construction of a fountain. Another tender has been floated for the 3D theatre,” said Das.