BHAWANIPATNA:Tourist spots in Kalahandi district remain neglected for lack of interest on the part of the district administration and State Government in promoting its rich cultural heritage.
The pathetic condition of the tourist complex at Beheraguda, about three kms from Bhawanipatna on Bhawanipatna-Kashipur highway speaks volumes about the neglect.
Former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik laid foundation stone for the complex in September 1992 with an aim to boost tourism and allocated `31 lakh for construction. Another `10 lakh was allocated from area development fund.
The Public Works Department (PWD) had floated tenders and work upto plinth level was completed when the contractor abandoned the project. Another tender was subsequently cancelled. Out of the total estimated cost, `27 lakh remained unspent. Work is yet to restart as new contractors are hesitant to work on the plinth suspecting its weak condition, said sources in PWD.
The abandoned under-construction building has turned a haven for anti-socials who have stolen iron roads. Incidentally, the work of this project was initiated by Janata Dal. Later, Congress and BJD were in helm of affairs but none took up the matter seriously.
Meanwhile, Tourism Department has allocated the work to OTDC with an estimated revised cost of `99 lakh on January 31, 2015.But, there is no progress yet. Recently, district administration selected another site in Paramanandpur near NH-26 instead of Beheraguda to construct the tourist complex, District Tourist Officer Arati Munda said. On completion, this will help attract tourists, she added.
Similarly, another Tourist Complex constructed at Thuamul Rampur, is lying deserted due to lack of infrastructure.