Jajpur: In order to start periphery development works around Maa Biraja temple in Odisha’s Jajpur, the district administration started eviction drive on Tuesday.
Servitors’ houses, shops and other structures located within 90 feet from the temple’s boundary wall were demolished with bulldozers in the presence of administration officials and police force. The servitors, whose houses were situated in the project area, have been allotted land as compensation.
Speaking to media persons, Jajpur tehsildar Jyotikant Bhujabal said, “The district administration has handed over the allotment of land to the servitors towards compensation for their houses. The affected servitors and their families were relocated before carrying out the works for beautification of the area around the temple.”
It may be noted that then chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra had visited the temple in 2021 and discussed the proposal of its development with the servitors and temple management.
Following his visit, the state government had approved the periphery development including beautification of the area within 90 feet of the temple.
