BHUBANESWAR: A delegation of State BJP leaders on Monday met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Shripad Yesso Naik and sought their support to make Nabakalebar a success.
The delegation requested Gadkari to expedite National Highway projects between Bhubaneswar and Puri and Puri to Bhubaneswar via Konark besides renovation of the old Jagannath Sadak before the festival.
They also requested Gadkari to create facilities like multi-purpose parking, shopping complex, restaurants and toilets along these highways. The delegation also met the Union Culture and Tourism Minister and stressed the need for development of tourism sector in Puri. Since Nabakalebar will be celebrated after 19 years and lakhs of people are expected to visit Puri, the delegation requested special measures to boost cultural tourism in the State. Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan, State BJP president K V Singhdeo, senior leaders Bijay Mohapatra, Suresh Pujari, Basant Panda, Biswabhusan Harichandan and Surama Padhi were part of the delegation.