Construction work on the first rock garden in Odisha, which is being established in Berhampur, is expected to start by September this year.
According to Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) sources, tender process for this project worth Rs. 13 crore is expected to be completed by July. This project is being taken up at Ambapua area on the outskirts of Berhampur. This project would be completely funded by the Odisha government. Speaking to The Hindu, secretary of the BDA, Dipti Mohapatra said the State government has already approved the project and Rs. 60 lakh rupees have been released for initial process. Rest of the amount would be released in phased manner after completion of the tender process. The BDA has formed a special committee comprising officials of all concerned departments to finalise the detailed estimate for the project. The key cost of this project would be related to the traditional rock artisans of Odisha.
The land earmarked for this project at Ambapua is an extreme rocky patch having scope for development of small water bodies in the area through rain water harvesting without making many changes in the natural terrain of the region. Green patches would be developed along the small water bodies and around the various natural rock formations in the region. This first rock garden of the State would showcase traditional rock carving skills of Odia artisans. Odia artisans from all over the state would be utilised, said Ms Mohapatra. This would become a platform to show case the rock carving skills of new generation artisans of Odisha, she added.As per BDA authorities this rock garden project is the brain child of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The CM’s office had directly initiated the process for the project and had even helped in finding suitable architect for the BDA for this rock garden project. .
