In a bid to expedite the project to make Raghurajpur as the model handloom village in Puri district, Textile & Handloom Minister Snehangini Chhuria directed officials to finish the work by Nov 15.
Centre has sanctioned Rs 10 crore to make Raghurajpur as the model handloom village, which is famous as the centre of art, culture, heritage and tourism. The infrastructure has already been developed and the rest of the project should be finished soon by Nov 15, said Chhuria during her visit to the village yesterday.
After visiting the village, Chhuria reviewed the work progress of the project.
Centre has sanctioned Rs 3 crore in first phase for this proposed model handloom village. As part of the project, funds were utilised on building a handloom development centre, society house, amphitheatre, development of pond, beautification of the village, development of temple, boundary construction, vehicle parking and the development of the area so far. The government will soon start making the front portion of all the houses as one type design, build toilets at backside of houses and system will be made for pipe water supply and sewerage. Besides, guest house construction, cafeteria, public toilets & bathrooms, selling point and kiosks are among other proposed projects to be carried out soon after monsoon by the IDCO, said Chhuria.
Since problems occurred in land acquisition process for constructing toilets for the villagers, Chhuria asked the IDCO officials to expedite the work by taking assistance from the district administration and local village committee.
Notably, due to influx of foreign tourists to the place Centre approved State’s proposal to make Raghurajpur as the model craft village where all 150 families are engaged in pattachitra industry. Under the project, all possible ancillary assistance will be provided to the pattachitra artists by developing the village. The government will spend Rs 14 crore for the project that is set to be completed within 14 months.
Among others, handloom director Sanghamitra Kanungo, joint secretary Raja Parija, IDCO CGM Rabindra Kumar Sahoo, Project architect Deepak Panda, Village committee president Jaykrushna Das, Sarpanch Kailash Moharana and other senior officials of the concerned department were present at the meeting.
