Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday announced that the state government will upgrade Puri Municipality to a Municipal Corporation.
With this move, the pilgrim town of Puri is set to become the sixth municipal corporation in the state. The decision has been taken taking into consideration the growing population, increasing pilgrimage traffic, and the evolving urban requirements of the seaside town.
Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister said all the localities of Puri town and some nearby gram panchayats will be included in the new municipal corporation. “The process for upgradation of Puri municipality to a corporation is set to commence from tomorrow,” he said.
Noting that lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad visit Puri to have a darshan of Lord Jagannath, Majhi said It is the duty of the state government to provide all basic facilities to the devotees.
This apart, the residents of Puri deserve better civic amenities and taking all these aspects into consideration, the state government has decided to upgrade Puri municipality to a municipal corporation, the CM said.
At present, five cities in Odisha – Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur and Rourkela – have their municipal corporations.
The Chief Minister also announced that the state government is set to establish a world-class museum and library at Puri to promote Jagannath culture. The proposed museum will have all modern facilities for the locals as well as tourists.
The state government will take the necessary steps for the all-round development of Puri, one among the four sacred Dhams as per the Hindu culture and tradition, the CM said.
