Sambalpur: AC safari service, 3 four wheelers and 2 minibuses started in Debrigarh

Sambalpur: Five new air-conditioned (AC) safari vehicles have been inaugurated at Debrigarh Sanctuary. It has three 4-seater four-wheel-drive AC vehicles and two 12-seater AC mini buses. According to the Hirakud Wildlife Department, 9 non-AC safari vehicles have already been deployed in Debrigarh, while the new AC vehicles will be able to provide tourists with the experience of a comfortable forest trip at a slightly higher cost. The five new vehicles were unveiled by Hirakud wildlife DFO Anshuprajna Das on Wednesday. The 4-wheeler AC safari, which is designed for 3 tourists (including driver), is priced at Rs 2,100 (including GST) and the AC minibus is priced at Rs 4,725 (including GST) for 12 tourists. With the help of these vehicles, tourists can travel inside and outside the Debrigarh sanctuary and around the Barapahad hills. 4 Wheelers can also be used as open hood jeeps if tourists want.

Tourists from about 20 states of the country come to visit Debrigarh, with about 50% of Oriya guests. In addition, more tourists are coming from Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. Only non-AC safari vehicles were available for these tourists so far. Sanctuary authorities are hopeful that AC safari vehicles will be able to attract more tourists. It will be in high demand, especially on hot and rainy days. Apart from Debrigarh, they can visit various tourist destinations in Sambalpur and Bargarh districts, such as Narsinghnath in Gandhamardan foothills and Kedarnath temples in Ambavana in foothills. A press release from the Hirakud Wildlife Sanctuary said that the vehicle could also be booked for sightseeing at markets and zoos in Sambalpur.