Chief minister Naveen Patnaik at the Ekamra market complex on Monday and (below) the new Dhauli police station. Pictures by Sanjib Mukherjee and Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 8: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated Dhauli police station with a view to improving policing in the high-profile area.

The Dhauli Peace Pagoda, a major tourist attraction, is located nearby. This 43rd police station in the twin-city police commissionerate’s jurisdiction.

The new police station consists of one inspector, two sub-inspectors, two assistant sub-inspectors and eight constables. Odisha State Police Housing and Welfare Corporation Limited have built the police station at an estimated cost of Rs 77 lakh.

Earlier, the pagoda and its adjoining areas were in the Shree Lingaraj police station jurisdiction, and the distance had remained a major hurdle in ensuring good policing.

“Thousands of people from India and abroad visit the place everyday. The new police station will be of great help to them,” said police commissioner R.P. Sharma.

The police station will also have a tourist cell. The home department would impart special training to the personnel deployed in the new police station, so that they can deal with tourists efficiently.

Before inaugurating the police station at Dhauli, the chief minister also laid the foundation stone for a market complex to rehabilitate shop owners from the dilapidated Lingaraj Market, owned by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation. The project near Debipadahara will cost Rs 7.10 crore. The Centre has the amount under the project for the development of mega tourist circuits.

Developing the market complex and parking area will cost Rs 6.89 crore, while the landscaping will cost Rs 20.48 lakh. A civic body official said the tender process for the new market complex was over and the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation would supervise the entire construction.

Naveen also laid a foundation for the renovation of Ekamra market complex for vendors near the Lingaraj Temple. The complex will cost Rs 4.98 crore. The Centre has sanctioned this project that will include pathways, a heritage building, beautification drive, tourist amenities and illumination.

The chief minister also inaugurated a 100-seater boys’ hostel for students of Sangeet Mahavidyalay at BJB Nagar and a 33/11KV sub-station at Lingipur.

Tourism and culture minister and MLA from Ekamra constituency Ashok Chandra Panda reiterated the state government’s commitment to develop the old Bhubaneswar area into a happening tourist destination.