Odisha Govt. gears up to boost Tourism in Satapada

Satapada has been one of the favourite tourist destinations in Odisha. The state government will invest Rs 15 crore in next 18 months to boost tourism here. It is located on the southern part of the Chilika Lake, largest brackish water lagoon in the country, near to village Panspada. Satapada means groups of seven villages. Satapada is 50 km away from Puri.

In an endeavor to boost tourism, Mahotsav is being organized every year under the aegis of Chilika Development Authority and the Department of Tourism. On Sunday, the third edition of Mahotsav was organized.

Pinaki Mishra, Member of Parliament, Puri, and Sanjay Dasburma, MLA Brahmagiri were the chief guests of the inaugural function. Speaking on the occasion, Pinaki Mishra stressed on the need to boost the tourism in Satapada. He said around 200 boats will be accommodated for joy ride and four air-conditioned Red Lines buses of Dream Team Sahara would ply between Bhubaneswar and Satapada. For a hassle-free journey to Satapada by bus, the state government has been taking all efforts for better road communication, he added.

Addressing the gathering, Sanjay Dasburma, who is also president of the Chilika Mahotsav Organizing Committee, said the state government would spend Rs 15 crore to develop Satapada in 18 months.

Concerned over the tourists’ plight, Puri Collector Arvind Agarwal suggested that a company should take complete charge of boating operation at Satapada. He said that operators were charging exorbitant fare for boat rides in Chilika Lake. Around 1,000 boats ply on Chilika Lake from Satapada, Gangadharpur, Sipakuda and Gabakunda jetties. During Chilika Mahotsav, a boat rally from Kalijai to Satapada was organized in which 25 boats participated.