Advertisement

Updated August 23rd, 2019 at 19:53 IST

CM announces Rs 500-cr Puri package, seeks people's support

Amid protests over the governments eviction drive near Puris Shri Jagannath Temple, CM Patnaik urged people to cooperate and make sacrifices.

Odisha
| Image:self
Advertisement

Amid protests over the governments eviction drive near Puris Shri Jagannath Temple, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday urged people to cooperate and make sacrifices for the upkeep and security of the 12th century shrine.

Patnaik also announced a Rs 500-crore special package for developing the temple town into a world heritage site.

The Odisha government, in its attempt to ensure safety of the shrine, has decided to evict people and demolish all structures within 75-metre radius of its boundary wall.

Patnaik said security has to be tightened at the temple in view of terrorist threats to religious institutions across the globe.

"Terrorism poses a big challenge to the world. Terrorists have no religion. They are targeting different religious institutions. Therefore, it is essential to take measures to secure the temple," he said after chairing a high-level meeting in
Bhubaneswar, which was attended by Chief Secretary AK Tripathy and DGP BK Sharma among others.

The CM gave assurances that his government would rehabilitate those displaced during the eviction drive.

"It is a fact that some people will be affected by this eviction drive. However, I appeal to them to cooperate and come forward to make sacrifices for the security of the temple," the statement said quoting Patnaik.

Last week, people in Puri had taken to streets to protest against the eviction drive. They said that the government should have arranged for a public hearing before taking any decision.

"There can be no compromise on the security of Puri temple. Therefore, I request people to consider this initiative to secure the temple as a service to the Lord and cooperate accordingly," Patnaik iterated.

READ | Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Urges Centre For Direct Flight Between Bhubaneswar And Dubai

The CM maintained that the Rs 500-crore special package will cover expenses of rehabilitation, development of multi-lane roads, bridges, parking lots and revival of rivers and lakes in the town, the official statement said.

Earlier, Patnaik had announced multiple projects for Puri at a cost of Rs 265 crore under 'Augmentation Basic Amenities & Development of Heritage & Architecture' scheme.

According to the statement, the government will build a bridge connecting Puri with Jagganath Ballav Matha (temple) via Malatipatpur at a cost of Rs 190 crore.

The Jagganath Ballav Matha will be developed into a pilgrim centre with multi-level car parking, meditation space and multi-modal hub at a cost of Rs 180 crore, while the Musa river will be revived and connected with Mangala river for an estimated cost of Rs 85 crore, it said.

Krishan Kumar, the chief of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), said the government was taking all steps to ensure that work is undertaken "seamlessly".

"Many mathas (temples) will be redefined. The chief minister has stressed on conservation of ancient artifacts in the mathas," said Kumar.

Many heritage structures and lakes in Puri such as Sweta Ganga, Markanda, Narendra and Indradyumna tank will be renovated. The CM has issued directions for completion of work in two years, Kumar added. 

READ | Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Favours 'One Nation-One Poll' Reform Amid PM-chaired All-party Meeting, Says 'BJD Will Support It'

Advertisement

Published August 23rd, 2019 at 09:08 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

Mamaearth
a few seconds ago
MEA Responds To China’s Comment On Sikh Separatist Gurupatwant Singh Pannun
a minute ago
Mukhtar Ansari Death
a minute ago
Dhara Gujjar
2 minutes ago
The ICJ has ordered Israel to ensure the smooth flow of aid to the people of Gaza.
8 minutes ago
UFC Exclusive Erin Blanchfield
11 minutes ago
Indian pharma sector
12 minutes ago
WWE Bloodline
12 minutes ago
Ramya on Uttarakaanda sets
17 minutes ago
Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell
18 minutes ago
Maharashtra Politics: Did Govinda Say Congress Ignored Him For 13 Years?
20 minutes ago
Jailed Gangster Mukhtar Ansari Passes Away
22 minutes ago
Torrent Power
23 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo