Bhubaneswar, July 19: Ghanteswari Pitha, a major tourist destination in Sambalpur district, will undergo beautification and infrastructure development work.

Sambalpur district collector Samarth Verma said the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation had already sanctioned around Rs 28 lakh for the beautification work.

"A children's park will be developed. Apart from the park, tiling and plastering works will also be carried out at the site to make it more attractive. It has also been proposed to construct a pathway and install decorative lights. Moreover, toilets for tourists will also be constructed at the site," said assistant engineer, Suryakanta Biswal, who is supervising the work.

A target has been set to complete all the works within two months, he said.

The scenic beauty of Ghanteswari Pitha attracts thousands of tourists and devotees from across Odisha and the neighbouring states. The beautification works are expected to draw more tourists to this pilgrimage spot. Tourist department sources said over 1.17 lakh tourists visited the spot in 2013, 1.2 lakh in 2014 and 1.3 lakh in 2014-15.

The district tourism department also proposes to open a souvenir shop and develop a restroom to provide better amenities to the tourists at the spot.

The department officials have decided to exhibit handicraft and handloom products of this region at the proposed souvenir shop. A proposal of Rs 50 lakh has been sent to the government for the souvenir shop and the restroom.