After hanging fire for several years, the proposed light and sound show at the historic Khandagiri and Udayagiri Jain heritage sites here has finally seen light of the day. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has given its consent and Centre sanctioning Rs 5 crore last month. The Sun Temple at Konark and Dhauli hills would also be having the same facilities to woo tourists.

The Centre-run India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) would execute the light and sound systems at the three places. "The ASI, custodian of the Khandagiri and Udayagiri hills, has given its approval, subject to the plan and design of the project. The Union tourism ministry sanctioned Rs 5 crore each for the three destinations. Of the sanctioned Rs 15 crore, the Centre has already released Rs 3 crore," tourism minister Maheswar Mohanty told TOI.

"We will soon start the process of jotting down scripts, highlighting the legends and other historic significance of the destinations for recording. Each light and sound show would be played for at least 30 minutes," Mohanty said.

The minister said the proposed project would be commissioned on a priority basis to draw more tourists after cyclone Phailin caused severe damage to the tourism sector of the state.

Though an attempt was made by tourism department about six years back to introduce light and sound systems at Khandagiri and Udayagiri hills, the project could not take off because of ASI's objections. ASI was then apprehensive about possible defacement of the monuments' engineering due to the show, which necessitated fitting sound boxes and equipment to the walls of the age-old heritage structure.

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