Bhubaneswar, Aug. 6: Tourists can now take a break, eat and spend some quality time during their transit journeys at Pattanaikia near Sakhigopal on the Bhubaneswar-Puri National Highway.
A wayside amenities centre, Jajabara, that had remained dormant since 2015 was made operational yesterday. It is meant to provide tourists with an improved facilities during their transit journeys.
Speaking on the development, Nishikant Mishra from Team, said: "The centre has been designed as a convenient stopover for tourists travelling to and from Puri and a weekend getaway destination for families."
"Nestled in the lap of nature, away from the hustle-bustle of the polluted city atmosphere, it will definitely attract tourists to enjoy the best dine experience," he said.
Jajabara is the state's first wayside amenities centre. At present, two AC restaurants have been opened on its premises - one multi-cuisine restaurant and the other one is a vegetarian one. The entire project costs around Rs 1.5 crore.
Besides, snacks counter and a tourist celebration centre are also there to serve the tourists.
"Very soon it is going to offer various integrated facilities, including comfortable tourist guest rooms, tourist convention hall, tourist celebration hall, swimming pool, ladies and gents washrooms, children's activity area, handicrafts and antique shops in a phased manner," said tourism minister Ashok Panda.
Popular cuisines such as mudhi mansa, various types of pithas and a host of tribal delicacies such as machha patra poda and baunsa poda mansa will be served at the food court.
Travellers feel that the centre will impart a feeling of mini-Odisha. Here, the history of the state will be portrayed through representational art and stress will be given on its ambience, so that one gets a feel of various facets of the state, including a display of tribal dances, Odissi dance and musical instruments.
"Tourists will get a proper place to take rest and eat during their journey to the tourist hotspots," said Anshuman Patnaik, a frequent traveller.
