Puri's Raghurajpur Craft Village Set for a Rs 23.8 Crore Tourism Transformation

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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Pravati Parida laid the foundation stone for a major infrastructure development project at Raghurajpur heritage crafts village in Puri district. The state government sanctioned a budget of Rs 23.82 crore for this comprehensive project. The initiative aims to upgrade the artisan village into a prominent global destination for cultural and heritage tourism. 

Raghurajpur holds widespread recognition for its traditional arts and indigenous crafts. Almost every household in the village practices traditional handicrafts. The village houses master artisans who create Pattachitra cloth paintings, palm-leaf etchings, wooden toys, and stone carvings. It is also famous as the historical birthplace of Gotipua dance, a traditional performance art of Odisha. The new project focuses on preserving these centuries-old art forms while building modern facilities for domestic and international travelers. 

The approved development project introduces several infrastructure upgrades and visitor facilities:

• Road Connectivity: The government will widen and improve connecting roads to ensure smooth transportation for tourists, pilgrims, and tour buses.
• Visitor Amenities: The project will set up modern reception centers, drinking water kiosks, clean public restrooms, and organized parking spaces.
• Artisan Display Spaces: The administration will build dedicated exhibition pavilions and craft demonstration areas where local artists can display and sell their work directly.
• Village Infrastructure: Workers will install proper drainage, decorative street lighting, and clear multilingual signage across the village lanes.

During the event, Minister Pravati Parida explained that the initiative will strengthen the local rural economy and support traditional artisans directly. Better infrastructure will increase visitor footfall throughout the year, enabling local craftspeople to sell their handmade products directly to buyers. She emphasized that the state government designed the plan to provide essential tourist conveniences while strictly preserving the authentic rural character and architectural heritage of the village. 

Pipili Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Ashrit Pattanayak attended the foundation-laying ceremony alongside the Tourism Minister. Senior officials from the Odisha Tourism Department, district administrative officers, and local community representatives also participated in the official program.