Bhubaneswar: Industrialist Anand Mahindra’s call for transforming Kanhakund in Odisha, where the IB river has carved out a beautiful canyon on its way, seems to have hit a chord with the state government.
The Tourism Department, which is contemplating a policy to position Odisha as a top destination for adventure and exploration, now has its eyes set on this unique rock formation in Sundargarh’s Balisankara block. It will be developed into an adventure tourism hub. “We are intending to offer adventure water sports, ropeway services, and essential amenities such as accommodation at the location,” TOI reported, quoting, Niranjan Mohapatra, assistant director, Odisha Tourism, Rourkela.
Earlier speaking to the media, Tourism Minister Pravati Parida had said that a team has been sent to conduct a feasibility study at the site, which officials claim has the potential to attract around 2,00,000 visitors annually once developed.
Also Read: Odisha Dispatches Team To Kanhakund After Anand Mahindra Highlights The Natural Wonder
The spot near Balisankar village in Sundargarh, around 128 km from the city of Sambalpur, has clear blue waters passing through granite beds creating a wonder of nature.
Mahindra, the chairperson of Mahindra and Mahindra, had recently drawn the attention of the Odisha government to this unique tourist destination through a re-post made by a Delhi-based traveller Aarayans, who wondered why such offbeat places are not on the tourism map of India.
While referring to a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, the business tycoon called for transforming it into a national and global tourism hotspot.
Also Read: Anand Mahindra Calls For Transforming This ‘Hidden Gem’ In Odisha Into Global Hotspot
Odisha Tourism had then responding by saying: “We’re working on enhancing infrastructure, creating sustainable tourism experiences, and promoting such unique destinations on national and international platforms.”
