Bhubaneswar, Jan. 13:In a bid to boost textile tourism in the state, the government plans to develop Maniabandha in Cuttack into a model weaving village. Maniabandha is famous for its Khandua saris.

The project includes setting up of a raw material bank for the weavers, introducing cutting-edge technologies for weaving and a state-of-the-art common facilities centre, and conducting sari-making workshop regularly.

Sources in the handloom and textiles department said Utkalika, the state co-operative handicraft corporation, would set up the raw material bank. The state industrial infrastructure development corporation that will coordinate the entire project will constitute a project management unit.

Demonstration centres will also be set up where visitors can witness the process of weaving. Selling points will also be made where customers can buy products directly from the weavers. Development of village roads, pension provisions for the elderly weavers and infrastructure development will also come under the purview of the project.

'We are doing an in-house survey of the village and a detailed project report is also being prepared. We will submit a proposal to the central government,' said Raja Parija, joint secretary of the department.

The village consists of 2,070 weavers out of which 977 belong to the Buddhist community. There are around 890 looms in the cluster that is famous for its tie-and-dye technique.

Tourists, especially Buddhists, visit the village in large numbers every year. The five Buddhist temples built in Kalinga style of architecture are a major tourist attraction.

Weavers feel that the initiative would garner business opportunities. 'It will help the traditional weavers interact with the customers and understand their needs,' said Goutam Jena, a craftsman of Cuttack.