Puri, August 18: Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism Pravati Parida on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for a special project worth Rs 23 crore aimed at the integrated tourism development of the heritage village of Raghurajpur.

The project will focus on promoting Raghurajpur’s traditional Pattachitra, Gotipua dance, wood carving and terracotta crafts, while providing world-class facilities and a better experience for tourists visiting from across the country and abroad.

Under the integrated development plan, the Department of Tourism will invest Rs 23 crore towards upgrading the village’s infrastructure, improving facilities for artisans, enhancing tourist amenities and promoting its rich cultural heritage.

The initiative is expected to emerge as a transformative step towards positioning Raghurajpur as a major heritage and cultural tourism destination, while creating better opportunities and support systems for local artists and artisans.

Speaking on the occasion, Parida said, “Raghurajpur is the heart of Odisha’s art and culture. This project will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the tourism development of Raghurajpur. Our aim is to take the village’s renowned Pattachitra, Gotipua dance and rich artistic traditions to the global stage and develop Raghurajpur as a premier world-class heritage and cultural tourism destination.”

Pipili MLA Ashrit Pattnaik, Puri District Collector Dibyajyoti Parida, Additional Secretary, Department of Tourism, Saroj Kumar Pradhan, along with departmental officials, local representatives, artists and other dignitaries attended the foundation-laying event.