Bhubaneswar, June 24: Tourists, who are planning to visit Puri during this festival season of Nabakalebar and the upcoming rath yatra, can now safely enjoy the sea breeze till late at night while taking a stroll along the beach as at least 30 high-mast lights have been installed from Sipasarubali to Chakratirtha Road.

The lamp posts have been installed for an investment of Rs 3.72 crore. The project that aims to beautify the beach and attract tourists was dedicated to public last evening.

Chairman of the Nabakalebar Infrastructure Development Supervision Committee and local MLA Maheswar Mohanty inaugurated the project in the presence of several ministers.

"These lights have been installed to add beauty to the beach. Besides tourists, pilgrims, who are visiting the town on the occasion of Nabakalebar and the annual rath yatra, will benefit. As a large number of people are expected to come to Puri for these festivals, the beautification will help in many ways," said Mohanty.

Public sector entity Mahanadi Coalfield Limited had funded this project.

For the past some time, the district administration had been drawing flak for its failure to light up the beach properly. It remained unsafe for the visitors as a vast stretch of the beach used to be devoid of electric lights. Besides, it was also noticed that drunken revellers often fell into the sea at these dark places.

With the beach now illuminated, the tourists can now enjoy roaming on the floodlit beach. Local residents are of the view that it will draw tourists not only during the festivals, but also throughout the year.

"This is a good step taken to light up the beach. At least it will be more crowded and active in the coming days. It will also make the stretch safe," said Satyabati Mehra, a tourist.

Police and nolias (life guard) are happy that the stretch will be safe for the public and they can keep a look from a distance.

Official sources said the MCL had also funded replacement of existing street lights with LED lights on the VIP road from the Hospital Square to Harihara Square and between Subash Bose Square and Penthakata. Besides, the company has also taken the responsibility of installing lights on 52 lamp posts along Chakratirtha Road.

The state government has been putting stress on better electricity supply, underground electric cabling and setting up of power grid station in Puri with an aim to provide uninterrupted electric supply to the town.

Efforts are on to complete the work before rath yatra that falls on July 18.