Govt plans Rs 30cr Gopalpur beach revamp
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Berhampur: State govt has decided to develop Gopalpur beach in Ganjam district at a cost of Rs 30 crore, which includes its illumination and beautification, commerce and transport minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena said on Wednesday.
The statement of Jena, who is the Gopalpur MLA, comes in the wake of the alleged gang rape of a 20-year-old college student by 10 people at the popular beach resort on Sunday.
The tourism department has already sanctioned Rs 30 crore for the development of the beach, Jena said. "The plan includes illumination of the entire beach from Haripur to Baxipllai, it's beautification, and development of a yoga centre," the minister said.
Lack of illumination on Gopalpur beach was an issue apparently raised by the police in the case of the recent gang rape.
Opposition parties had also raised question mark about the safety of tourists, especially women, in the state.
On Wednesday, Jena visited the crime scene. Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi has taken the matter very seriously, the minister said, adding that the CM has already directed the police to take exemplary action against those involved in the heinous crime.
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The minister praised the police for arresting all 10 accused within 24 hours of the incident. He emphasised the need for intensified patrolling on the beach by inducting another all-terrain vehicle. Presently, there is only one such vehicle at Gopalpur police station.
"We hope the crime against women and children wing (CAW&CW) of the crime branch, which was entrusted with the investigation, will complete their probe in a time-bound period and ensure the survivor gets justice soon," Jena said.
Meanwhile, a three-member team of the crime branch, led by Inspector General (CAW&CW) S Shyni, visited the crime scene and spoke to the local police. The team also questioned the four teenagers, suspected to be involved in the alleged rape, housed in a observation home. Police have requested the juvenile justice board to treat the juveniles as adults, sources said.
The six adult accused were produced before judicial magistrate first class, rural, Berhampur, on Tuesday night. Ritika Jena, the magistrate, ordered them to remain in judicial custody for 14 days after rejecting their bail pleas, sources said.
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