Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will inaugurate the project for renovation and development of Suando village in Odisha’s Puri district, the birthplace of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das in Puri district, on January 26, 2023.
Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra on Saturday visited Suando and reviewed the progress of different works being undertaken under this Rs 25.25 crore project to turn it into a heritage village. A museum, renovation of the ancestral house of Utkalmani, Loknath Deb temple and temple of Radha Binod Bihari, beautification of the village, construction of a road and other facilities are part of the project.
The ancestral home of the eminent social thinker will be converted into a museum. A 15-feet bronze statue of Utkalmani will also be installed in the village. Khondalite stone blocks are being supplied by Odisha Mining Corporation for the transformation work.
Mahapatra directed the officials concerned to complete the work by December.
“We are expecting people travelling to Puri to visit this heritage village, which is close to the national highway. A reception centre and an information centre have been set up on the main road. Different facilities, including museum and children’s park, are being readied. Boat facilities will also be made available at the nearby Bhargavi river,” he said.
Notably, 5T Secretary VK Pandian had Suando on January 26, 2020, to assess ground realities and requirements to develop the village with the government drawing plans to give a facelift to villages of historical and cultural significance in the state.
The chief secretary also reviewed the work on the expansion of the road from Pattanaikia Chhak along the national highway connecting the village. He also took stock of the progress of work of the Odia University at Satyabadi and visited Sakhigopal temple and Bakul Bana, where renovation work will start soon. He directed the officials concerned to complete the work by April next year.
