Nabarangpur, 23rd Aug 2025: Nabarangpur MLA Gauri Shankar Majhi, along with District Collector Dr. Maheshwar Swain and all members of the Indravati Tourism Area Committee, visited the Indravati Reservoir and its surrounding areas on Thursday to review proposals for developing it as a multi-faceted national-level tourist destination.
Earlier, on Independence Day, Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia had visited the area and instructed the district administration to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to develop the region as a national-level tourist destination. Following his directives, a committee was formed under the chairmanship of the District Collector, with the District Tourism Officer serving as the convenor.
Members present included Additional District Collector (Revenue) Vishwajit Chandra Barman, Tentulikunti Additional Tahsildar Seemanchal Patra, and State Revenue Inspector Santosh Garada, who jointly reviewed the current status of the site.
The proposed project area near the Deopali main dam in Tentulikunti block is expected to involve an investment of over ₹100 crore for the development of tourism infrastructure. Plans include:
Parks alongside the reservoir
Boating facilities in the reservoir
Temples and mini-parks on islands
Ropeways, restaurants, and cafes
Plantation drives and landscaping
Electricity, sanitation, and road connectivity
Accommodation and other tourist amenities
Gym and recreational facilities
The DPR will be submitted to the State Government for approval. Once developed, the site is expected to create employment opportunities, boost local businesses, and contribute to self-sufficient economic growth.
Since the land around the reservoir is currently used for maize cultivation, the district administration has instructed the Revenue Department to halt farming, mark the area with red flags, and immediately start plantation of grass, flowers, and other greenery to prepare the site for tourism development.
The district administration emphasized that road connectivity is critical. The roads on both sides of the proposed area will connect to Kalahandi district, and relevant departments have been instructed to start work immediately. If any department is unable to execute the work, the responsibility may be transferred to the Road & Building Department or the Rural Development Department.
All activities related to the proposed solar project are to be carried out in Tentulikunti, with parts of the reservoir left free for boating.
During the site inspection, officials present included:
BDO Monal Panigrahi
DFO Shubhendu Behera
Ranger Gopinath Sahu
Indravati Dam Circle Additional Chief Engineer Naresh Patra
Supervising Engineer (R&B) Kshirrod Kandhapana
Assistant Engineer Dhwaleshwar Majhi
Junior Engineer Manoranjan Sahu
Rajiv Lochan Sahu
TPIODL officials Sushant Khatei, Niroj Lahudi, Padmacharan Behera, Pratik Raut
Deputy Director DPMU Aishcharya Bhanj
District Tourism Officer Ghasia Harijan
Other officers