After Mahindra post, govt plans to develop tourist infra at Kanhakund
Bhubaneswar: After industrialist Anand Mahindra highlighted the need to promote Kanhakund, a natural rock formation on the Ib river in Sundargarh district, in a social media post, the govt on Sunday sent a team to verify what tourist infrastructure can be developed at the site.
Deputy chief minister Pravati Parida, who also holds the tourism portfolio, said the beautiful natural rock canyon had huge tourism potential but had till now gone under the department’s radar.
“I would like to thank Anandji, who through a single post, has brought this location to our attention. I am also grateful to him that he has shown interest and inquired about what can be done there. Sometimes, it happens that the state govt misses out on such places which are highlighted by nature lovers and others. We will certainly develop the place,” Parida said.
“A team was sent to the site to check the possibility of infrastructure development and tourism,” she added.
Kanhakund,located around 126 km from Rourkela, is a rugged terrain with natural rock-cut structures created by the flow of the river for thousands of years. The breathtaking landscape offers a tranquil retreat for anyone, be it an adventure enthusiast, a photography lover, or someone seeking peace amid natural beauty.
Traveller Aarayansh, in a post on X on Feb 25, posted a few pictures of Kanhakund and wrote, “This is the Grand Canyon of Odisha, an underrated hidden gem, 120 km from Sambalpur. Clear blue waters pass through granite beds. I wonder why such places are not on the tourism map of India.”
Reacting to the post, Mahindra wrote, “No need to compare it to the Grand Canyon. This is unique in its own way. Not sure if these pics are photoshopped, but even if they are to an extent, these formations are amazing.”
Tagging Odisha Tourism, Mahindra said, “What can we do to make this first a national destination and then a global hot spot?”
The tourism department replied, “Odisha Tourism is committed to showcasing this and many such underrated treasures, and we are working on enhancing infrastructure, creating sustainable tourism experiences, and promoting such unique destinations on national and international platforms. With your encouragement, we believe such unexplored destinations of Odisha will truly shine.”
Deputy chief minister Pravati Parida, who also holds the tourism portfolio, said the beautiful natural rock canyon had huge tourism potential but had till now gone under the department’s radar.
“I would like to thank Anandji, who through a single post, has brought this location to our attention. I am also grateful to him that he has shown interest and inquired about what can be done there. Sometimes, it happens that the state govt misses out on such places which are highlighted by nature lovers and others. We will certainly develop the place,” Parida said.
“A team was sent to the site to check the possibility of infrastructure development and tourism,” she added.
Kanhakund,located around 126 km from Rourkela, is a rugged terrain with natural rock-cut structures created by the flow of the river for thousands of years. The breathtaking landscape offers a tranquil retreat for anyone, be it an adventure enthusiast, a photography lover, or someone seeking peace amid natural beauty.
Traveller Aarayansh, in a post on X on Feb 25, posted a few pictures of Kanhakund and wrote, “This is the Grand Canyon of Odisha, an underrated hidden gem, 120 km from Sambalpur. Clear blue waters pass through granite beds. I wonder why such places are not on the tourism map of India.”
Reacting to the post, Mahindra wrote, “No need to compare it to the Grand Canyon. This is unique in its own way. Not sure if these pics are photoshopped, but even if they are to an extent, these formations are amazing.”
Tagging Odisha Tourism, Mahindra said, “What can we do to make this first a national destination and then a global hot spot?”
The tourism department replied, “Odisha Tourism is committed to showcasing this and many such underrated treasures, and we are working on enhancing infrastructure, creating sustainable tourism experiences, and promoting such unique destinations on national and international platforms. With your encouragement, we believe such unexplored destinations of Odisha will truly shine.”
