Ayodhya Sarovar. Telegraph picture

Sambalpur, Aug. 17: The water resource department will develop the Mahanadi riverfront at Ayodhya Sarovar here shortly.

Ayodhya Sarovar, an artificial lake, was developed to control the flow of the Mahanadi and store water for use of the people of Sambalpur in the 60s by the irrigation department.

“The technical committee has approved the proposal. The design for the project will be submitted soon,” said executive engineer of water resource department Prabhas Patnaik.

The project involves construction of a 600-metre high and 30-metre wide platform on the Mahanadi at Ayodhya Sarovar. The platform will be built 2ft above the water level of the sarovar. The platform will have sitting arrangement so that people can spend quality time on the banks of the Mahanadi.

The place will be illuminated with lights, while trees will give it a green look. Boating facility will add to the recreational aspect of the place.

The platform will, however, get submerged when floodwater is released from the Hirakud dam during monsoon. Officials hope that for the remaining eights months of the year, it will become a major tourist destination in the city.

“The Sambalpur city is growing rapidly. The populationis also increasing. However, the city has very few recreational places. If the project materialises, it will become a great place to visit,” said local resident Sushanta Sahu.

“Hundreds of residents frequent the ring road along the Mahanadi for evening and morning walk. The new place will give them another option,” “he said.

“The project is draw tourists who visit the region for trips to the Hirakud Dam, Debrigarh sanctuary, Sama-leswari and Ghanteswari temples,” said another local resident Bulu Pruseth.