Cuttack, Aug. 9: Complications with land acquisition, culminating in a five-year search that is yet to yield results, has emerged as a major hurdle for the state government's Silver Filigree Centre project here.

The government conceived the project five years ago to develop Cuttack's famous silver filigree craft with facilities such as a training centre, testing laboratory and sales outlet.

It was billed as a major initiative to give a fillip to the Cuttack tarkashi (silver filigree) art form. The project proposal includes identification of traditional artisans and bringing them under one roof, setting up infrastructure for live demonstrations of intricate methods in the tarkashi work with a product sale facility. But despite the efforts of the government, it has made no headway, as the district administration has not been able to provide land for the project.

Initially, the district administration had demarcated three acres at Munda Sahi near Jagatpur. However, litigations by a private party prevented land acquisition, forcing the authorities to shift the project to a land at Tulsipur Revenue Colony, official sources said.

The project also had to be shifted from here due to the diversion of land for the Japan International Co-operation Agency funded integrated sanitation scheme.

"Subsequently, three acres were identified at Matamatha on the banks of the Mahanadi. But we have decided not to pursue the project there following dispute regarding the land earmarked for Bali yatra reaching the National Green Tribunal," Cuttack collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra told The Telegraph today.

Setting up the Silver Filigree Centre was included as a project in the state handicraft, handloom and textile department's plan in 2013.

The District Industries Centre followed it up by requisitioning land for the project. "The tehsildar has already been asked to identify government land on the outskirts of the city. We hope to identify land for the project shortly," Mishra said.

Official sources said the centre was planned to link silver filigree with tourism. This was planned to give fillip to the tarkashi art form, as it would offer tourists the chance to witness artisans at work. The plans involved both the central and state governments under the Centre's Circuit Development Scheme. The Odisha Tourism Development Corporation was expected to link the filigree centre with the state's tourist circuit.

"Rs 1 crore in central funds is available for use under the Circuit Development Scheme to give shape to the project," the collector said.

Tarkashicraftsmen said despite Cuttack being a stronghold for silver filigree work, lack of resources and work forced artisans to seek other work.