Puri: The transformation of the cultural capital of Odisha is in full swing. The process to clear the 75 meters area around Lord Jagannath Temple got a boost with the District Administration getting the final mandate of go ahead from the Government yesterday.
The Government has instructed the district administration to start the survey process to identify the structures that need to be removed in order to implement the High Court Order to clear the area.
All the Matha’s, commercial establishments, residential places and temples coming under the 75 meters periphery of the Meghanada Prachira are needed to be removed in order to implement the High court Order. From Wednesday, the district authorities will start the survey work to implement this. A list of all the affected people is being prepared.
While the land where the Sana Chata Matha is situated belongs to the Matha, most of the other Matha’s are on the land registered in the name of Lord Jagannath. Hence, the Temple land will be taken over for the eviction process. Primary reports suggest that around 175 plots are under the ownership of private persons and around 85 shops will get affected due to the eviction process. About 16 lodgings, hotels and ashrams near the Dakhsins Dwara, Paschima Dwara Uttara Dwara and Dola Bedi Kona are identified to be removed.
The district administration under the guidance of the State Government is trying its best to accelerate the process of transforming the city into a World Class Heritage City. District Collector Balwant Singh, along with the SP Umashankar Dash and other officials were seen on the spot late in the night on Tuesday. The Puri Thasil and the Municipality officials have been entrusted with the work to survey the area.
Yesterday the district administration had pulled down the Languli Matha and part of the Emara Matha which were in a dilapidated condition. While the Temple inside one of the Matha has been left intact, the authorities have provided alternate arrangements for the occupants. Meanwhile, the Raghnandan Library, one of the oldest in Puri having a large number of rare books was seen shifting all its books yesterday. The dilapidated condition of the building made it necessary to remove it as early as possible.
The district administration has identified Jagannath Ballabh Matha Handicrafts Complex, Habisiali Sibira and the under construction Bhakta Nibas to rehabilitate the shop owners whose shops will be removed in the eviction process. The evicted Matha’s will be provided alternate place in the other Matha’s near to the Jagannath Temple. The private land owners will be given land near the Gopala Tirtha Matha, Larkote and Mahaprakash Matha Areas. They will also be provided monetary compensation under the ABADHA Scheme of the state government.
The state government is keeping no stone unturned to transform the city of Lord Jagannath into a World Heritage City. The efforts are on to make the city secure and provide all the amnities to the lakhs of people who are coming to the Holy city. The Chief Minister has assured the people of Odisha especially the people of Puri to cooperate in the development process. He has deputed a strong and able team to look after the transformation and he himself is also keeping a close eye on the process.