Odisha govt swings into action to clean Puri Beach; sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik ends fast

Globally acclaimed sand sculptor Sudarsan Pattnaik ended his sit-in today as Bankimuhan in Puri was cleaned and steps were taken by Odisha government for long-term solution to pollution in the area.

"I am very happy that Bankimuhan beach has been cleaned and the government has also floated a tender for waste treatment plant for a long-term solution to pollution in the area," Pattnaik said ending his agitation this evening.

Expressing happiness over the steps taken by the administration, Pattnaik said he was happy that his efforts yielded results since the government swung into action and initiated steps to clean the "highly polluted" beach.

The tender floated for proper treatment of the waste water would go a long way in preventing pollution at Bankimuhan. "I would like thank the concerned authorities for their efforts to clean the beach," he said.

Pattnaik said that he had decided to launch the agitation after his requests to Odisha government for taking concrete measures to save the area from pollution went unheeded.

The renowned artist had launched his dharna with a sand art at Puri beach on Tuesday protesting beach pollution near Bankimuhan.

He was admitted to a private hospital here after he fell ill on Thursday but his students continued with the dharna. Pattnaik had resumed his agitation on the Puri beach after being discharged from the hospital yesterday.