Jagannath Temple seeks NMA’s nod for heritage corridor project

File photo: Puri Jagannath Temple

BHUBANESWAR: Jagannath Temple’s chief administrator Krishan Kumar has made a presentation of the state government’s ambitious Jagannath heritage corridor project before the National Monuments Authority (NMA) in Delhi and urged them to grant approval for smooth execution of the project.
On February 8, the NMA had withdrawn the contentious draft heritage bylaws for Puri Jagannath temple in the wake of strong resentments from different quarters, including the BJD and BJP leaders in the state. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik too had expressed his strong displeasure.
Subsequently, the temple administration had sought the approval of different state and Central agencies, including the NMA under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act (AMASR), 2010 for smooth execution of the heritage corridor project around Jagannath temple.
Kumar visited Delhi last week and briefed the NMA officials about the significance of the heritage corridor project. “Lots of statutory clearances are required for the heritage corridor project. We have got some approvals and are waiting for others, including the NMA. I will not say the NMA approval has been delayed. It is an official procedure, and we are hopeful of getting the approval soon,” Kumar said.
The chief administrator said the tender of the project has already been finalized and work order issued. “There is no delay in the progress of the project,” Kumar said.
Sources said the state government is worried as any Central regulation would adversely affect the ongoing development works around Jagannath temple. The withdrawn draft bylaws had proposed to prohibit construction within a 100-metre radius of the Jagannath temple and restrict construction, re-construction, repair and renovation activities to a radius of 300 metres.
The heritage corridor project, which will be implemented at a cost of nearly Rs 800 crore in 75-metre radius of the temple, lays stress on development of heritage corridor components, a Shree Jagannath reception centre, amenities for devotees and development of mutt temples. The project is part of the Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA) scheme for developing Puri as a “World Class Heritage City”.

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