War Of Words Over Puri Heritage Corridor: Pinaki Mishra Again, Now Versus Sambit Patra

Puri: After the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) told the Orissa High Court that there was no permission or NOC for the massive construction under way as part of the Puri Heritage Corridor project, one BJD leader facing a lot of opposition heat is Puri MP Pinaki Mishra.

After BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra accused him of “lying” about the project, Mishra countered him on Tuesday. “Work is being carried out with the National Monuments Authority (NMA)’s NOC. We have never said about ASI’s approval. Whatever is happening is within the purview of law. The reception counter will come up in the regulated zone with permission. And where is it written that DPR cannot be revised?” he asked.

“Sambit Patra or I cannot decide how much area should be dug out. Digging activity is carried out as per suggestions of civil engineers. If anyone is having any issues with that, he or she can go to the High Court or Supreme Court,” he said.

Earlier in the day, reacting to the ASI’s submission, Patra tweeted, “State govt carried out construction works without approval from competent authority. Isn’t this illegal? Who is answerable?” he tweeted.

“ASI mentioned about frequent changes in DPR. Why was DPR revised so many times?” he asked. “Most important of all, it’s mentioned that excavation may have destroyed archaeological remains of heritage site. Govt should answer who is responsible for this,” he said.

Patra also attacked Mishra. “In Lok Sabha, Mishra said that only four toilets are being constructed in restricted zone of Jagannath temple. Mishra should apologise for this blatant lie,” he said.

BJP leader and Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi too has on several occasions in the past engaged in a war of words with Mishra on the issue.

During a visit to Puri last month, she had targeted the MP, saying that “if he was not aware of the goings on pertaining to the heritage corridor project, how do we expect 4.5 crore people of Odisha to know the truth about the construction plans close to the Srimandir”.

Before that also, reacting to Mishra’s statement on the “NOC” issued by the NMA on September 4 last year for construction of a cloakroom, shelter pavilion and toilets within the prohibited zone of the temple, Aparajita said the paper being shown by him was a letter by the NMA and not an NOC.