Satapada Set for Tourism Boost

PURI: Satapada jetty in the district would be developed to accommodate 200 boats for joy ride and four air-conditioned Red Line buses of Dream Team Sahara would ply between Bhubaneswar and Satapada soon. This was informed by Puri MP Pinaki Mishra and Brahmagiri MLA Sanjay Dasburma at the inaugural function of the third edition of Chilika Mahotsav on Sunday evening. Mishra said efforts are being made to make road communication along the Bhubaneswar-Satapada route hassle-free.

Dasburma, who is also founder president of the Chilika Mahotsav organising committee, said `15 crore will be spent to develop Satapada jetty in 18 months.

On the occasion, Puri Collector Arvind Agarwal suggested that a company should be floated in Satapada that would have owners and operators of all the boats as its members.

The company would be helpful in mitigating problems of tourists who are often exploited by boat operators. The operators charge exorbitant fare for boat rides in Chilika, the largest brackish water lagoon in the country.

“The company would look into sale of tickets and booking of rides in Chilika. At the end of the day, the earnings per boat would go to every member of the company,” he said.

Around 1,000 boats ply on Chilika lake from Satapada, Gangadharpur, Sipakuda and Gabakunda jetties. Boat associations charge exorbitant rates from visitors and give commissions to some taxi drivers to bring as many tourists as possible to their respective jetties.

There have been complaints from tourists and hoteliers about the nexus between taxi drivers and boat owners in the past.

“If a company is set up, it would also end the unhealthy competition among the boat owners,” the Collector said, adding that the boat owners need to be registered with the Transport Department and equip the boats with life-saving equipment.

Show of Traditional Art Forms

The second day of the annual Chilika Mahotsav was a melange of traditional art forms of the country, Odisha in particular. The festival saw performances like Gotipua, Jodi Sankha, Ghumura, Mahari, Sambalpuri, Bhangra and Bihu dances.

A boat rally from Kalijai to Satapada, which witnessed the participation of 25 boats, was kicked off on Sunday. Besides, a Pallishree Mela and photo exhibition based on the history of Chilika is being organised.

This time, the Mahotsav is being held for three days instead of two as was organised in 2014 and 2013. The festival is jointly organised by the Chilika Development Authority and the Department of Tourism.