Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has termed Supreme Court’s verdict on construction work outside Jagannath Temple in Puri for heritage corridor as the universal Lord’s wish.
SC rejected the two petitions challenging the excavation and construction being undertaken by Odisha government along the Jagannath Temple by terming those as frivolous and also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh each on both petitioners.
ତୁମ ଇଚ୍ଛା ବିନା ପତ୍ରଟେ ହଲେନି ଆହେ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ। ଜୟ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ 🙏 pic.twitter.com/HAtr6wPf2Y
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) June 3, 2022
Puri MP Pinaki Misra, who had been fighting the opposition on alleged illegal construction works, appealed all to stop impeding this noble venture for personal or political gain.
Misra tweeted: Jai Jagannath. The Lord has spoken through the voice of the Hon’ble Apex Court. Naveen babu stands vindicated in his earnest attempt to create world class infrastructure to make Puri a World Heritage Site.
Jai Jagannath
The Lord has spoken through the voice of the Hon’ble Apex Court. Naveen babu stands vindicated in his earnest attempt to create world class infrastructure to make Puri a World Heritage Site.— Pinaki Misra, Puri MP (@OfPinaki) June 3, 2022
On the other hand, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi said she will have to read the verdict before commenting on the issue. However, she has sought an answer from Odisha Government “if AMSAR has been violated or not for undertaking the digging and construction work at the site in Puri.”
Puri MLA and BJP leader Jayant Sarandi said, “BJP has never opposed the development of Puri under the Heritage Corridor project. The party has always stated that the work should be carried out but, as per law. ”
Senior Advocate Mahalaxmi Pavani said the court has not taken into account our submissions where the litigant said that construction and excavations is taking place within the prohibited area of 100 metres. “We were totally against the desecration and destruction of the temple.”
Odisha Government has assured that they will rectify damages done and they ensured there will be no further illegal excavation and will work in tandem with the ASI, she added.
