A delegation led by Badri Mishra, Chakradhar Mohapatra and Madhusudan Mishra of the social outfit met the Puri Collector Samarth Verma and demanded roll back the ‘beach shacks’ plan at sacred beaches in guise of tourism development in Puri district.
The OTDC is planning to open counters at beaches on Puri-Konark marine drive offering tourists to enjoy beverages including liquor, along with music on the lines of Goa. Accordingly, OTDC invited online applications for operation of shacks at beaches and tomorrow is the last date for filing applications.
With this in mind, more than 50 organisations have joined hands to oppose OTDC’s proposal. They have vowed not to allow OTDC to go ahead with the plan that will facilitate drinking of liquor on the beach of Puri which is the land of Lord Jagannath.
Verma said, “We will not take any step that will negatively impact the heritage city of Puri. We will take up the issues with the government. It is only a proposal and we will discuss the feedback with the government.”