Houseboat service to woo tourists

BHUBANESWAR: Even as tourism in the State has been hampered by the restrictions on foreigners to pockets inhabited by primitive tribal groups and the abduction drama, the State Government is coming out with new proposals to sell its tourism products. The Tourism Department had decided to promote tourism by introducing houseboat facilities at 16 places across the State. The facility will enable tourists to spend the day and night right on the waters, enjoying all the comforts of a star hotel.  The water bodies identified are Deras, Jhumuka, Jagannath Sagar, Upper Jank, Salia, Pitamahal, Naraj, Hirakud, Derjang, Upper Kolab and Bhanjanagar reservoirs.  Deras and Jhumuka are on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar and within the Chandaka sanctuary. This apart, the facility will be introduced in Ramchandi at Konark, Tampara, Nua Nari in Puri, Chilika lake at Rambha and Barkul. While infrastructure requirements like jetty, ticket counters, toilets, pathways, parking spaces, electricity, anchoring facilities during night and water supply already exist near Chilika lake at Rambha and Barkul, Tampara and Jagannath Sagar in Jeypore, the same will be developed in the other water  bodies. The houseboat projects will be developed in PPP mode. The private agencies will be in charge of developing necessary infrastructure, arrange boats and other equipment for operation of the projects. The department earlier this week called for expression of interest for the purpose.Sources said the proposal of houseboats was approved by the State Government’s empowered committee on investment. The committee had also approved the Tourism Department’s plea to invite proposals from three and five star hotels for  the facility.  Sources said 75 per cent of the people residing near these water bodies will be involved in the maintenance and other works related to the houseboat projects. It will help them in eking out livelihood. Sources said the Chief Secretary at a meeting recently had asked officials concerned to conduct a survey on the carrying capacity of each of the water bodies so that the ecological balance is maintained if the houseboats are introduced.  “The houseboat service has been designed on the lines of the one in Kerala, where it is common on the vast stretches of backwaters. The facility would be immensely popular as it would provide the visitors to enjoy beauty of the lake in all its forms,” an official said. The department had earlier introduced the facility in Chilika lagoon but it has reportedly gone defunct. Sources said there are also plans to develop some water bodies across the State for adventure water sports like water scooting and jet skies.