Puri administration to throw open tourist-friendly Blue Flag Golden beach soon

BHUBANESWAR: The Puri district administration is planning to inaugurate the proposed Blue Flag Golden beach in the next few weeks. It will contain a host of recreational activities for tourists and give a boost to the state's beach tourism.
The ministry of environment, forest and climate change, which had in 2018 decided to develop 13 beaches in the country, has proposed to the Copenhagen-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) to accord Blue Flag certification to Puri beach, the lone contender from Odisha in the race.The FEE prescribed at least 33 sets of guidelines on cleanliness, eco-friendly environment and tourist-friendly amenities to award the Blue Flag category.

Under the Blue Flag project, a 900-metre stretch between Mayfair Hotel and Gandhi Park has been made a safe bathing zone, disable-friendly and crime-free ambience. The administration said it would maintain high water quality in the Blue Flag beach.

“We have set up a pedestrian track, deck chairs and beach huts for tourists. Proper sanitation and a solid waste management system has been put in place to keep the beach clean. Solar street lights have been installed for beach illumination,” Puri district collector Balwant Singh said.

The administration would ban the access of vendors on the Blue Flag beach. “We will collect a user fee from tourists. A cafeteria would come up near Panthanivas hotel on the beach. Vendors will be strictly prohibited in the area, which has been designated as no-plastic zone,” Singh added.

A ‘safe swim heaven’ of 200-metre stretch has been demarcated on the Blue Flag beach to allow tourists to have sea baths. A Chennai-based organisation had conducted a survey to know whether the beach conditions were safe for bathing. The area will be cordoned off by ropes and buoys.
“We hope that the Puri Blue Flag beach or Golden Beach will redefine the concept of beach tourism in the state. A number of other tourist-friendly activities are being planned,” Singh said.
In June last year, the district administration launched ‘Mo Beach’ (my beach) campaign to keep the shoreline clean and beautiful. The district administration engaged local communities, civil society organisations and volunteers in the Mo Beach cleaning exercise. Puri district has at least 7 enchanting beaches, including the sprawling shore in the Puri town. Other beaches that attract tourists are Chandrabhaga (Konark), Balighai, Ramchandi, Astaranga, Baliharchandi and Rajhans in the district.