Odisha plans new water sports hubs in 5 districts

Bhubaneswar: Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam and Puri districts may soon emerge as the state’s new water sports destinations. The tourism department has identified several sites in these five districts and has begun examining the technical feasibility of introducing water sports activities there. The exercise is expected to conclude within this month.“Several applications for water adventure activities in the five districts have been received through the department’s Go Adventure portal,” tourism director Deepankar Mohapatra said. In a letter to the collectors of the five districts, Mohapatra stated that the proposed sites would undergo technical feasibility assessment under the Odisha Adventure Tourism Guidelines, 2025.The verification team will comprise a technical expert from the National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS), Goa, representatives from the Adventure Tourism Technical Cell (ATTC) of the tourism department and members of the district level committees concerned (DLCs).Field inspections at the identified sites are scheduled to continue till May 20.The DLCs, constituted under the Odisha Adventure Tourism Guidelines, 2025, are responsible for identifying, mapping and technically assessing adventure tourism sites. Mohapatra has asked the DLCs to submit feasibility reports, including safety standard assessments, to the state-level technical committee for further examination and approval.The state govt launched the Go Adventure portal in Feb this year for registration, verification and licensing of adventure tourism projects. Earlier, deputy chief minister Pravati Parida had said that adventure tourism would boost Odisha’'s tourism sector, create new opportunities and position the state as a major destination for adventure and water-based experiences.Apart from water sports, the department is also planning aero-based adventure tourism at several locations across Odisha. It has requested the Aero Club of India to conduct feasibility studies at Chandipur and Udaypur-Talasari in Balasore district; Puri beach and Satpada; Deomali and Talamali in Koraput district; and the Lower Balijatra Ground in Cuttack for aero-based adventure activities.