Bhubaneswar, Aug. 5: The state government is set to expedite the process of development around the historic Khandagiri-Udaygiri caves on the outskirts of the capital. The development activities would include relocation of shops and closure of the road that passes through the twin hills of Khandagiri and Udaygiri.

As the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has failed to issue a notification regarding the closure of the road, prohibiting vehicular movement, the City Management Group (CMG), the apex decision-making body for city development, has urged the departments of general administration and tourism to take up the issue as top priority.

Sources said the closure of the road is required not only to create space for free movement of tourists, but also to save the ancient rock structures from the vibrations generated from the heavy vehicles plying on the roads.

A senior government official said since the ASI authorities had failed to notify the closure of the road, according to provisions under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act the state government will take up the issue and ensure the road closure for the conservation of these ancient structures.

“The area will be developed as a major tourist hub with the widening of the Khandagiri Square. An interpretation centre being developed by the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation, a crafts development centre, a dedicated vehicle parking space and a proposed bus terminal, all in the vicinity, will add to the comfort of tourists. They can take a safe stroll around the two hills once vehicular traffic is completely restricted on the existing road,” said J.K. Das, senior engineer of the state tourism department.

The Khandagiri-Udayagiri area will be connected through a road from Dhauligiri, a Buddhist site, to woo tourists visiting Puri. This new route will minimise the travel time from Puri as tourist buses playing currently from the holy town use the Rasulgarh route. The new road and a rail over bridge to be built by the public works department near Pokhariput, will ensure smooth traffic flow from Puri.

“For beautification of the surrounding areas of the twin hills, shops situated on the NH-5 side will be relocated behind Khandagiri. For this purpose, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation had done a detailed survey. Already 27 shops have been identified and they will be relocated near the parking lot,” said a tourism official.

Talking about the expansion of the Khandagiri Square, works secretary S.K. Ray, however, pointed out that as there was no scope for further expansion of the existing square and the widening could only be done where government land is available.

The CMG, on the other hand, has also asked the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation to expedite the vacation of the stay order on the work of the temporary bus stand near Khandagiri. This would facilitate parking of buses from Baramunda bus stop, which would soon be renovated.

The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has also taken an initiative to file cases against illegal constructions within a 100-metre radius of the Khandagiri cave. The BDA, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and general administration department will jointly conduct the eviction.