Work On Puri Heritage Corridor Project Resumes After Over 2 Months

Puri: Almost after two and a half months, Puri Heritage Corridor project work resumed on Friday with a demolition drive at Laxmi Bazaar near north gate of Jaganaath Temple here. It falls in the Heritage Security Zone within 75 metre radius of the 12th century shrine.

Speaking to Odisha Bytes, Collector Balwant Singh said that some commercial shops, which were vacated earlier after acquiring the area, are being demolished amid tight security and by following the social distancing norms.

The shop keepers will be rehabilitated as per the R&R policy, he added.

The demolition drive being carried out to pave way for smooth implementation of the project around the shrine had to be suspended due to the nationwide lockdown triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had directed officials to resume work around the Jagannath Temple in Puri and Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar from May 29.

In August, the CM had approved five projects worth Rs 265 crore for infrastructure development of Puri town under the Augmentation Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA) scheme to make it the most-preferred tourist destination in the state.

A month later, he gave the go head to three mega projects – Heritage Security Zone, Raghunandan Library building and a housing project for those displaced by the demolition drive in Puri.

The Heritage Security Zone within 75 metre radius of Jagannath Temple will accommodate idols of gods and demigods, plants and shrubs linked to the Jagannath cult, art and artefacts and a place for offerings.

According to official sources, a major portion of land for several structures, including a pilgrim centre, market complex and a bridge, in Puri has already been acquired and that for the whole project is likely to be completed in two-three months.

Besides, designs are being prepared for Shree Jagannath heritage corridor, Grand Road development, renovation of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration office building and Jagannath Culture Centre, the sources added.