Sambalpur, Jan. 29: Tourists will shortly find restaurants, restrooms, souvenir shops, parking space, children play centres and other facilities at the wayside amenities centre in Nayapalli.

The work on the proposed project at Nayapalli in Rairakhol is set to begin, as the land issue with the project has been resolved.

The tourism department had identified 2 acres at Nayapalli for the wayside amenities centre and asked the revenue department in August 2015 to vacate the land.

But the land was not transferred to the tourism department as there were some trees owned by the revenue department.

District tourist officer Rabindra Kumar Dalei said: "Land was a major hurdle to implementation of the project. However, the problem has been resolved. We have deposited Rs 1.45 lakh towards the cost of trees with the revenue department. We will get the record of rights shortly."

"The tender for the implementation of the project will be floated after the model code of conduct is lifted. The Odisha Tourism Development Corporation will execute the project and Rs 1.5 crore had already been sanctioned for it," Dalei said.

The project will be carried out under the Jajabara project of the state government.

There are seven identified tourist centres in Sambalpur district - Sambalpur, Hirakud, Ushakothi, Huma, Chiplima, Gudguda and Kandhara.

Every year, thousands of tourists from across the state and from neighbouring states visit these places. In 2015, more than 10 lakh domestic tourists and 350 tourists visited these spots.

"Rairakhol is the appropriate place to set up the wayside amenities centre. Tourists will get all facilities at one place," said Ashok Behera, owner of a travel agency.