In a major push to elevate the state’s tourism landscape, the 2nd meeting of the State Tourism Promotion Council (STPC) was held today under the chairpersonship of Chief Secretary Anu Garg.
The high-level meeting focused on accelerating tourism infrastructure development, ensuring land availability, reviewing ongoing projects, and creating a seamless environment for tourism-based investments.
Reviewing the progress of decisions made during the council’s first meeting, the officials assessed the allocation of government land for upcoming projects and the overall development of various tourist destinations across the state. A major focal point of the discussion was the implementation of the “Tourism Land Bank Scheme” to develop residential and allied facilities for visitors. To ensure transparency and efficiency, the council emphasized establishing clear protocols for land identification, utility assessment, and allocation, backed by GIS-based land mapping and robust digital monitoring systems.
Adding a flavorful dimension to the state’s tourism strategy, the council deliberated on proposals to set up authentic Odia food restaurants across new cities and popular tourist hubs. This initiative is being viewed as a crucial step in blending Odisha’s rich culinary traditions with its broader tourism appeal, offering visitors a holistic cultural experience.
Furthermore, the STPC addressed administrative hurdles faced by investors. The council reviewed proposals for a one-time settlement scheme designed to help tourism units that were approved under older policies but were deprived of incentives due to various reasons. Chief Secretary Garg stressed the urgent need to cut down procedural delays, remove bottlenecks related to land and licensing, and make the entire investment process simpler and time-bound.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary of Commerce and Transport N.B.S. Rajput, and Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Tourism Department Balwant Singh.
