Puri: A special team of the National Monuments Authority (NMA) on Thursday conducted an inspection of the renovation of four mutts located 100 metres from Meghanada wall of Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri.
The team included Director Culture Dilip Routray, Puri Sub-Collector, Chief of Puri circle of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Chief of State Archaeological Department and others.
During the inspection, the team members examined the renovation works of Badachhata mutt, Chhauni mutt, Uttaraparswa mutt and Kakudikhai mutt in the pilgrim town.
Speaking on the exercise, Routray said that except the beautification of the mutts, no other construction work will be carried out in the prohibited area within 100 metres from the 12th century shrine.
As per the guidelines by NMA, the four mutts – Badachhata mutt, Chhauni mutt, Uttaraparswa mutt and Kakudikhai mutt – located within the prohibited area could only be renovated and repaired. However, no new construction could be carried out within the area, he said.
During the inspection, it was found that there has been no violation of NMA guidelines in the renovation work. The redevelopment of four mutts is carried out as per the guidelines issued by NMA, Routray said.
It may be noted here that the NMA had earlier issued no objection certificates (NOCs) to the state government for the redevelopment of 15 mutts around the Jagannath Temple in Puri that were demolished as part of the heritage corridor project in the pilgrim town.
