By: Lalmohan PatnaikCUTTACK: An ambitious project that seeks to give a facelift to the Barabari Fort area is yet to take off as the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) has not awarded the work order for it. The delay in the commencement of the work has led to unchecked dumping of debris at the site, on the western side of the moat area.On October 10, tourism minister Ashok Panda had laid the foundation of the integrated development plan for the beautification of the area around the Barabati Fort moat. The plan envisages the development of vacant plots adjacent to the moat. The OTDC is to execute the project.“The tender for the project is under process. The work order will be awarded soon and work will start before the end of January,” OTDC executive engineer P C Mohapatra said on Monday. He added that the project would be completed within eight months of commencement. In the first phase, the OTDC will spend Rs 5 crore on transforming the land into a destination tourism project. It will construct a building with an auditorium for an interpretation centre and come up with a gallery equipped with facilities to introduce visitors to the history of Cuttack at the Barabati Fort. Inside the interpretation centre, kiosks as well as a memorabilia shop will be set up. Toilets, lavatories and other basic amenities would be provided, Mohapatra said. The area around the building will be developed and pathways created along the moat.There has been a lot of activity for the development of the Barabati Fort in recent years. The 2.5-km stretch of the moat surrounding the fort is a protected area and under the custody of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Barabati Fort was declared protected in 1915. The ASI had excavated a mound in 1989 and has, since, developed a well-laid garden there with avenue plantation. But the moat has remained neglected with abundant growth of weeds.Barabati Fort was the seat of the sovereign powers that ruled Odisha for over five centuries. It was the headquarters of Ganga dynasty’s Kalinga Empire (1112-1435), home to the Suryavamsi Gajapatis (1436-1540), Bhois (1542 -1560) and Mukundadev, the last great Hindu ruler of Odisha (1560-68).

Stay updated with all the Latest Cuttack headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.