Light and sound shows at three major hotspots to draw tourists

BHUBANESWAR: Tourists hotspots like Khandagiri-Udaygiri, Dhauli and Konark are set to add another feather in their caps as the long-awaited light-and-sound shows will begin there soon.
"In the first phase, light-and-sound shows will start at Khandagiri-Udaygiri, Dhauli and Konark. We are hopeful of completing the projects by the year-end," said culture and tourism secretary Arvind Padhee.
Government sources said the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has given its consent for the projects and the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has been assigned the task of preparing a 30 minute-script for the show. Installation works will begin soon.
The shows will be in English, Hindi, Odia and Bengali. An estimated Rs 20 crore will be spent on the project, of which Rs 15 crore will be funded by ITDC and the rest by the tourism department.
According to original plans, Amitabh Bachchan was to lend his voice to the Udaygiri laser show, which was on emperor Kharavela.
Similarly at Dhauli and Sun Temple, Konark, stories on Kalinga war and legend of Dharmapada will be narrated.
Besides, the tourism department has also decided to set up virtual reality theatres at various tourist draws in the state.
The theatres will seat 24 each and be set up at interception centres at Khandagiri and Puri along with eight other places in the state.
"Around Rs 1.33 crore will be spent to set up the virtual reality theatres and on their maintenance and supervision. These theatres will have customized 3D shows of 10-minute duration," an official source said.
The Odisha Tourism Development Corporation will be the nodal agency to implement the projects.