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Orissa, T.N. sign MoU for tourism promotion

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI APRIL 21. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed yesterday for integrated promotion of tourism between Tamil Nadu and Orissa.

At a function organised by the Orissa Tourism Department here, the MoU was signed by the Orissa Tourism Secretary, R. Balakrishnan, and the Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation and Commissioner of Tourism, V. Varaprasada Rao.

At a news conference, Mr.Balakrishnan and Mr. Rao said the agreement would not only provide a fillip to domestic tourism but mutually benefit the two States in tapping an enormous potential.

Mr. Balakrishnan noted that with the steep fall in the arrival of global tourists after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack in New York, the need for promoting regional tourism in a coordinated and big way was felt. Orissa had been facing one calamity after another— a supercyclone followed by superfloods.

But, the proactive steps initiated by the Orissa Government and its ``facilitator role'' yielded results.

Dr.Rao said the MoU, between the TTDC and the Orissa Tourism Development Corporation, provided for chalking out a well-designed circuit tourism to promote Tamil Nadu, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, besides enlarging its scope to cover Karnataka and Kerala, where the Government had already signed similar marketing agreements.

Mr.Balakrishnan and Dr.Rao agreed to explore the possibilities of operating a ship service, optimally utilising the long coastline.

Dr.Rao said he would shortly initiate discussions with the State Poompuhar Shipping Corporation for examining the feasibility.

Mr.Balakrishnan and G. N. Mohanty, Director, Orissa Tourism, said the Archaeological Survey of India and the Union Ministry of Culture, along with the Indian Oil Corporation, had created a corpus fund of Rs.10.5 crores to provide a facelift to the Konarak Sun Temple.

The developmental plan was being prepared by the Tata Consultancy Services and it would be implemented by L & T for creating better infrastructure, apart from a sound and light show.

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