Odisha to renovate urban 'haats' for boosting handloom, handicraft sector

Odisha government on Thursday decided to revate existing urban 'haats' to boost handloom and handicraft sectors in post-lockdown period, a senior official said.

decision was taken at a high-level meeting held under chairmanship of Chief Secretary A K Tripathy where it was decided to initiate process for revating urban 'haats', presently operating at Bhubaneswar, Konark and Puri.

Suggesting that revation should be me through convergence of tourism, cultural and handicraft activities at spots, Tripathy said, urban 'haats' should be developed to make m places of tourist attraction.

It was decided in meeting that Textile, Handloom and Handicraft departments would maintain and upscale se 'haats' to attractive commercial spots for ir products.

Development Commissioner S C Mohapatra suggested that should be reserved for tritional craftsmen for exhibiting and selling ir products throughout year directly to domestic and international customers.

This would give a wider exposure to artisans and fetch more income against ir own products, he said. y would also get a direct sense of customers choice and demand, Mohapatra said.

Chief Managing Director Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) S K Singh said, urban 'haat' at Bhubaneswar has been built over an area of 5 acres with around 50 stalls, one amphiatre, two green rooms, 10 food stalls and one toilet.

'haat' at Puri has been built over an area of 6.83 acres with 36 stalls, one amphiatre, two green rooms, two dormitories and one toilet, he said.

'haat' at Konark developed over 4.15 acres has 40 stalls, four exhibition halls, one amphiatre, two green rooms, one utility building, one toilet and one dormitory, Singh said. All se 'haats' are presently operating and are maintained by IDCO.