Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has once again urged the Centre to extend financial and administrative support for the development of an ancient pilgrimage route along the Mahanadi River and the creation of associated cultural infrastructure, describing the initiative as a project of national importance.

In a letter dated June 24, 2026, Chief Secretary Anu Garg wrote to the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Culture, requesting that the proposal be considered on priority. The state has sought the Centre's assistance for preserving the rich cultural, religious and historical heritage of the Mahanadi river basin while promoting sustainable cultural tourism.

The Chief Secretary noted that the state government had earlier written to the Ministry of Culture on March 13 and August 18, 2025, seeking support for the project. Despite these communications, no final response has yet been received from the Ministry.

Project envisions cultural mapping and interpretation centres along Mahanadi River

According to the letter, the proposed initiative aims to develop an ancient pilgrimage route along the Mahanadi and establish cultural infrastructure, including interpretation centres in the Hirakud influence area. The project also envisages comprehensive cultural mapping, documentation of tangible and intangible heritage, and preservation of traditional rituals, folklore and customs associated with the river.

The proposal has already received a positive response from the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), which, through an email dated August 6, 2025, expressed its willingness to provide full support for cultural mapping and documentation of the Mahanadi riverine landscape in collaboration with the Odisha government.

In the latest communication, the state government requested the Centre to provide financial assistance to enable IGNCA to undertake the cultural mapping and documentation exercise. It also sought support for the development of the proposed pilgrimage route and related cultural infrastructure along the Mahanadi.

The Chief Secretary emphasised that the project aligns with the national objective of conserving India's civilisational heritage while promoting sustainable cultural tourism. The letter stated that the initiative would help preserve the unique cultural traditions that have evolved along the Mahanadi over centuries and strengthen Odisha's position as a major destination for religious and cultural tourism.

Reiterating the significance of the proposal, the Odisha government urged the Ministry of Culture to examine the matter on priority and extend the necessary financial, technical and administrative support to take the project forward.