Bhubaneswar: In a major decision to stimulate the transformation of Puri into a world heritage city as part of 5T policy, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced Rs 500 core mega package for the development of Puri.
The CM has approved a package of Rs 500 crore for the development of infrastructure, Multi Lane Roads, Flyovers , Parking, Rejuvenation of Musa River, rehabilitation of people affected by the Security Zone, Development of Various Matha’s.
In a high level meeting held at the Lok Seva Bhavan, the Chief Minister gave utmost importance on the development of infrastructure of Puri to make it a World Heritage City. With the change of time, the security aspect of Puri Temple has also become an important issue today. The Chief Minister said that there will not be any compromise with the safety and security of the Temple. Hence, he requested the people of Puri to support the State Government’s security initiative thinking it as a Seva of Lord Jagannath.
Some of the decisions taken in the meeting include the construction of a bridge from Puri Bypass Malatipatapur to Jagannath Ballabh Matha at a cost of 190 Crore rupees. There will be a multi level parking and a Dhyana Mandap at the Jagannath Ballabha Matha. The Dhyana Mandapa will be constructed with an outlay of 180 Crore Rupees and will have a capacity to accommodate more than 10 thousand people.
The government has also decided to rejuvenate the Musa River and connect it to the Mangala River. Projects such as river front tourism will be developed. This will be done with an expenditure of 85 Crore Rupees. The historically important Athatanala will be developed and lighting arrangements will be done. The Archeological Survey of India will be roped in to advice on this. This will be done with an investment of Five Crore Rupees. The high level meeting also decided to develop a lake over a land of 28 acres with an expenditure of 35 Crore Rupees.
There is a close relationship between the various Mathas and the Lord Jagannath Temple. Hence, the government is careful not to disturb the cultural heritage. The government wants to relocate the Mathas situated in the Security Zone solely on the basis of security concerns. The artifacts and heritage of the Mathas will be carefully preserved and shifted. The Mathas will be developed under the ABADA scheme.
The Government has also decided to compensate the loss to be accrued due to the eviction in the Security Zone. Those people whose houses and the shops are being removed will be given houses and shops in return at an alternate place and adequate monetary compensation will also be given to them.
The heritage lakes or the Pushkarinis of Puri – Swetaganga, Markanda, Narendra and Indradyumna will be developed and conserved within two years. This will be carried out by Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation Limited.
The high level meeting was attended by the Law Minister, Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, Police DG, Law Secretary, Chief Temple Administrator, Puri Collector, Central Range DIG and Puri SP.
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