Jual Oram Joins BJP Voices Against Puri Heritage Corridor Project, Says Odisha CM Being Kept In Dark

Bhubaneswar: Jual Oram on Sunday jumped on the bandwagon of senior BJP leaders, opposing the ongoing construction work under Puri Heritage Corridor Projet, and said these illegal activities are being carried out at the behest of some officials without the knowledge of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

The senior BJP leader further said that the Orissa High Court should stay the ongoing work within the 100-metre radius of the prohibited area of Jagannath Temple till the joint inspection and hearing on the matter are completed.

Notably, the HC on Monday allowed the state government to continue with the work while directing it to submit its reply to the ASI affidavit, which stated that the ongoing construction work being carried out without valid permission from the competent authorities might have caused damage to the 12th-century shrine there, by June 20. The next hearing on the matter has been posted for June 22.

“State president Samir Mohanty and BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra visited the site and would apprise the central leadership about the development at the site,” he said.

Jual also targeted Puri MLA Jayanta Sarangi over his statement against politicising the issue.

On Thursday, the BJP MLA appealed to both state and central governments to work in close coordination to complete the work before the onset of monsoon. “It is better for the temple as well as for the local people to complete the work without further delay. I also request parties and people not to politicise the corridor project issue,” the Puri MLA told a presser.

The previous evening, the Cultural Advisory Committee (CAC) of the Parikrama project had decided to shift the proposed Shree Jagannath Reception Centre – a component of the 75 metre heritage corridor project – beyond the prohibited area (100 metre) of the centrally protected monument.

Jual said that the legislator might be under some pressure. “The state BJP president should have a word with him,” he added.

This came a day after Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the state government should ensure that all developmental works are carried out within the purview of the law.