The proposed light and sound show at the Dhauli Hill is yet to see the light of the day. Considering the growing popularity of Shanti Stupa at Dhauli, the State Government is already implementing a Rs 6 crore special project for the development of Dhauli Hills and its adjoining areas. To help tourists understand the importance of the heritage site better, the State Government had planned to introduce a light and sound system to highlight Kalinga War and its aftermath on the lines of Purana Quila in New Delhi. On an average, over 500 tourists visit the Stupa daily and the number doubles during peak season. In 2010, the Principal Secretary, Tourism Department, Ashok Tripathy, announced to start the show at Dhauli and Konark. Prior to that a similar proposal at the Khandagiri and Udayagiri hills was grounded for conservation issues.
As the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) lacks the expertise on the subject, it was decided that a proposal would be sought from the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) on the new technology to run such a show and permission to implement it be from the Tourism Ministry.
Earlier this year during a high-level meeting, though ITDC had informed the State Government about multimedia laser show using latest technology to be taken up in a year’s time at Udaygiri and Konark, it made no mention about the Dhauli Stupa.
Admitting to the delay in taking up the project, OTDC sources said ITDC submitted a project proposal to the government only 10 days back. “We will study the proposal and accordingly, send it to the Tourism Ministry for approval,” an OTDC official said. The State is looking for latest technology that is being used at various other heritage monuments which does not deface the structure in any manner.