Bhubaneswar, January 16: Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to discuss the integrated development, conservation and tourism management at Kedar Gouri, Khandagiri, Kapileswar and Mukteswar in the city and directed a comprehensive action plan for drainage, pumping and maintenance works at prominent heritage and religious sites in the State.

Parida, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, directed launch of a massive cleanliness and awareness campaign. She highlighted that heritage conservation, tourism promotion and environmental sustainability must progress together.

She emphsised on scientific waste management in temple premises, desilting and rejuvenation of water bodies, drainage improvement, and maintenance of water sources.

The Deputy CM directed immediate site inspections by concerned officials and prepare a comprehensive action plan for drainage, pumping and maintenance works, under the jurisdiction of temple trust and concerned local bodies and hire the technical team.

The meeting emphasised close coordination among Tourism department, BMC, ASI, Endowment Department and local administration to ensure sanitation, water quality and regular upkeep of monuments. Priority cleaning and pumping operations will be undertaken wherever required.

To improve the visitor experience, deployment of trained guides for dissemination of historical and cultural information was suggested. It was also decided to ensure the proper functioning of interpretation centres and creation of ramps and universal accessibility facilities at the sites in future.

Bhubaneswar (Ekamra) MLA Babu Singh, Tourism Secretary Balwant Singh, Endowment Commissioner Lalatendu Jena, Tourism Director Deepankar Mohapatra, Housing and Urban Development Additional Secretary Satrughna Kar, BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana, Khurda Collector Amrit Ruturaj and Khurda Sib-Collector Dr. Manoranjan Sahu and representatives from the ASI Bhubaneswar Circle attended the meeting.