BALASORE: The Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) has proposed to develop Dagara beach in Balasore district as a major tourist destination. OTDC Chairman Jyotiskar Mohapatra said a project has been prepared to develop the beach, about 35 km from the district headquarters.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the seventh Baliapal beach festival at Dagara last evening, Mohapatra said a lighting facility has been set up on the beach at a cost of ` 8.2 lakh. Besides, a project has been prepared which includes construction of a Panthanivas, tourist complex on five acres, reception centre and development of a garden.”
Dagara beach has been included in the mega tourism circuit containing Chandipur, Talasari, Udaypur, Panchalingeswar and Remuna.
Local MLA and Industries Minister Raghunath Mohanty, who inaugurated the beach festival, sanctioned ` 3.62 lakh from his local area development fund for the improvement of the beach.
Away from the madding crowd, the beach at Dagara is favourite with the picnickers. The visitors are amazed to see the red crabs crawling on the beach and the special attraction for them are the horseshoe crabs here.
“The beach here is almost mystical, changing its face with the altercation of tides. This makes it separate from other beaches in the country,” observed Punit
Jha, a tourist from Jharkhand. Punit added the only thing it lacks is good road connectivity.
Like the Chandipur beach, here too the sea water recedes more than 5 km everyday and returns rhythmically after a regular interval.