Puri: Pilgrims coming to the land of Lord Jagannath are going to have a pleasant experience in the coming days as the transformation initiatives are taking shape in Puri. While the process has already started with a definitive objective, devotees are now experiencing the change. With the Odisha Government on a fast track mode to transform the pilgrim city of Puri into a World Heritage City, a special beatification drive has also been initiated around the Jagannath temple.
More than 1500 saplings will be planted within the 75 metres boundary from the Srimandir as part of the ‘Green Belt Beautification’ initiative.
After the massive eviction drive around the boundary wall of Jagannath temple, the State Government has taken up the plantation drive in association with the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) to plant various trees and decorative flower plants in the evicted corridor in order to provide a beautiful view of the temple to the devotees. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s ambitious plans for the City along with the direct monitoring of Secretary 5T Initiatives, VK Pandian, will definitely make it one of the best places of the world.
According to officials, a detailed plan has been prepared for the beautification drive and various indigenous plants including Neem will be planted. Notably, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s special initiative to transform Puri into a World Heritage City has been highly appreciated by all including Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb.
The temple city transformation plan includes creating better infrastructure for pilgrims and providing security cover to the centuries old Lord Jagannath Temple. Notably, the government has sanctioned more than 400 crore rupees for the infrastructure development of the town. As part of the transformation initiative, the administration is putting up sheds for queue by pilgrims and lanes have been created for better management of pilgrim rush. The new initiatives have started showing results as there are visible changes in amenities.
According to Collector Balwant Singh, the administration wants to provide a pleasant experience to the pilgrims who will be coming for Darshan from this New Year. There will be separate lanes for crowd management. Also, free shoe and mobile stands will also be put up for the pilgrims. A spacious parking facility is also being created near the temple.