Puri: In line with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s vision to transform Puri into a world heritage city, the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee on Monday gave approval to the draft proposal for the Shree Jagannath Heritage Corridor (SJHC) during a meeting held at the Niladri Bhakta Niwas in Puri on Monday.
This has been informed by Dr. Krishan Kumar, Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
The SJHC will be a 75-meter corridor. The intent of the project is to provide expansive, unobstructed corridors around the Meghanada Pacheri for giving an opportunity to devotees and pilgrims to have visual connect with the Temple, Neelchakra and Meghanada Pacheri.
The SJHC also serves functions of providing amenities for pilgrims and for strengthening safety & security of the temple and for those visiting Shree Jagannath Temple.
The proposal has following components –
- Heritage corridor components (9)
- Shree Jagannatha Reception Centre (SJRC)
- Amenities
- Matha Temples
The State Government has taken several measures under its Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA) Scheme for developing Puri as “World Class Heritage City”.
The proposal divides the heritage corridor into 9 layers: a green buffer surrounding the temple complex, the Antar Pradakshina path, the Landscape zone, Bahya Pradakshina path, the Public Convenience zone, Service lane, Shuttle-cum-emergency lane, Mixed traffic lane and Pedestrian footpath.
- Heritage corridor (9 components)
The 75 meters of the SJHC abutting Meghanada Pacheri is broadly divided into nine (9) zones on the northern, southern and western side. These are –
- 7 meter Green Buffer Zone (adjacent to Meghanada Pacheri): This consists of a 2 meter hardscape area abutting Meghanda Pacheri for access by staff and maintenance purpose. The remainder 5 meter is a 1ft high terraced landscape green.
- 10 meter Antar (Inner) Pradakshina: For ceremonial procession of deities year-round and use by general public for parikrama of Shree Mandira complex.
- 14 meter Landscape Zone: These gardens have been designed through meticulous research of the local arboriculture practices. Local varities of trees, used in Jagannatha Culture will be planted here.
- 8 meter Bahya (Outer) Pradakshina: Covered by trees on either side, this will act as a shaded pathway for visitors / pilgrims.
- 10 meter Public Convenience Zone: Along with plantation of tall trees and shrubs, this zone will have facilities such as restrooms, drinking water fountains, information-cum-donation kiosks, and shelter pavilions for shade and rest.
- 5 meter service lane: For access by service vehicles and maintenance of the corridor.
- 4.5 meter wide dedicated shuttle cum emergency lane for any kind of emergency and disaster management.
- 7.5 meter mixed traffic lane to aid in movement of vehicles around the Heritage Corridor and to ensure access to properties abutting the outer access road as well as the lanes from the neighbouring Sahis meeting this outer access road.
- 7 Meter wide shaded footpath with trees is designed adjacent to the mixed traffic lane for a smoother pedestrian flow around the corridor and neighbouring area for people to commute. This will be equipped with parking bay for Sevayaks and temple workers, waste bins, street furniture, drinking water fountain etc.
The eastern plaza of the heritage corridor is proposed as a large open space as many festivals of Shree Mandira including the Rath Yatra starts from here. This will allow very large congregation of devotees to take place in a safe and secure environment. It is clear from above that more than 90% of the SJHC i.e about Ac.18 out of Ac.20 are being developed as open and green spaces. Further, the SJHC plan increases this open space from about Ac.5 to Ac.18 i.e an increase of 360%.
b. Shree Jagannatha Reception Centre (SJRC)
In order to meet the essential requirements of visitors to Shree Mandira and the SJHC, a queue management facility with capacity of 6,000 persons, along with security checking (Baggage screening) facility, main cloakroom for keeping belongings of up to four thousand families, drinking water and toilet facilities, facilities for washing hands and feet, souvenir including book shop etc. are being provided in this centre. This will be built over half an acre land available next to SJHC on South-East side.
C. Amenities:-
| SHREE JAGANNATHA HERITAGE CORRIDOR | ||||||
| LIST OF AMENITIES IN 75-M AREA | ||||||
| Sl. No | Built amenities | East | West | North | South | Total
Numbers |
| 1. | Mini cloakroom | – | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2. | Information-cum-Donation kiosks | – | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 3. | Shelter Pavilion | – | 3 | – | 2 | 5 |
| 4. | Public Toilets- Male | – | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 5. | Public Toilets- Female | – | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 6. | Sevayat Toilet | – | – | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 7. | Police Service Centre | – | 1 | – | – | 1 |
| 8. | ATM kiosk | – | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| 9. | Bhajan Mandap
(100 people) |
– | – | – | 1 | 1 |
| 10. | Sanskriti Mandap
(500 people) |
– | – | – | 1 | 1 |
| 23 | ||||||
| LIST OF BUILDINGS | |||
| Sl.No | Particulars | Area
(sqft) |
Facilities |
|
|
Shree Mandira Reception Center
(G+2) |
85,000 | Cloakroom storage capacity: 4000 families
Waiting Area: 6000 people, extendable to another 2000 people on East Plaza |
| OPEN SPACE | |||
| Sl.No | Particulars | Area | Remarks |
| 1. | Existing Open Space | 5 Acres | |
| 2. | Proposed Site Area | 20 Acres | |
| 3. | Open Space Proposal | 18 Acres | 90% open space created |
D. Matha Temples – For development of Matha temples existing within 75 meter SJHC, proposal has been approved. All the matha temples are being developed by keeping in mind Kalinga style of architecture in general and specific traditions of the concerned mathas.