Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday announced a package of Rs 500 crore for infrastructure development in Puri.
The Chief Minister made this announcement during a high-level meeting at the Lok Seva Bhawan here.
The development package was announced by the Chief Minister on the basis of the recommendation of Justice BP Das Commission of Inquiry in its interim report.
Stating that the infrastructure development is imperative to make Puri a world-class heritage city, the Chief Minister said along with the infrastructure development, safety and security of Jagannath Temple has to be given utmost precedence. “No compromise will be made on the security of this historic temple,” he pointed out.
Mentioned below are the projects announced by the Chief Minister.
1. Trumpet Bridge
A trumpet bridge from the bypass at Malatipatpur to Jagannath Ballav Mutt will be constructed at a cost of Rs 190 crore to facilitate the tourists movement to Jagannath Ballav Mutt.
2. Development of Jagannath Ballav Mutt
The Jagannath Ballav Mutt will have a multi-storey parking place, a meditation centre for 10,000 people and a shopping complex. The cost of the project is estimated at Rs 180 crore.
3. Renovation of Musa river
The Musa river, on the outskirts of Puri, will be renovated and connected to the Mangala river. Steps will be taken for the ecological development of the Musa, where a riverfront tourism will be set up. The project is pegged at Rs 85 crore.
4. Atharanala
The historic Atharanala at the entrance to Puri will be beautified with lighting arrangement. The state government will seek the assistance of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for its development. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 5 crore.
5. Lake
A water body near Puri will be developed into a lake on 28 acres of land at a cost of Rs 35 crore.
6. Security zone and renovation of mutts
Taking note that the mutts are closely attached to the Jagannath culture and tradition, the government has decided to shift these mutts situated in the security zone of the Jagannath Temple to other places without doing any damage to their monuments. Besides, the mutts will be provided financial assistance under Abhada Yojana.
7. Shifting of shops, houses from security zone area
All shops and houses in the security zone area of the temple will be shifted. The displaced shop and house owners will be provided with rehabilitation package which will be announced very soon.
8. Renovation of tanks
All major tanks in Puri like the Sweta Ganga, Narendra Puskarini, Markanda and Indradyumna will be renovated. The Odisha Bridge Construction Corporation (OBCC) will complete the renovation of these tanks in two years.
