Puri: Director General of Archeological Survey of India (ASI) V. Vidyavati, who is on a two-day visit to Odisha to check progress of various works being carried out by the ASI, today reviewed the Shree Mandira Parikrama Project in Puri Srimandir.
The ASI DG discussed with senior officials about the master plan of the heritage corridor project. SJTA chief administrator Krishan Kumar, Puri Collector Samarth Verma, SP Dr. Kanwar Vishal Singh, and senior officials of OBCC were present during the review.
The Shree Mandira Parikrama Project envisages developing areas adjacent to the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri. Puri’s titular king Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb laid the foundation stone on 25th November 2021, in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik following a three-day yajna (special ritual).
The Rs 800-crore project will create an unobstructed 75-metre corridor around the Meghanada Pacheri (outer wall of the Shree Jagannath Temple). This is the biggest redevelopment project of temple surroundings in centuries.
Upon completion, devotees will get an obstructed view of the temple from a distance. The corridor will also provide amenities for devotees and strengthen security.
The project is part of the Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA) scheme which aims to develop Puri into a world-class heritage city. The government has purchased land from 115 families around the temple to execute the project.
The Odisha CM also felicitated the land owners, who donated their properties to the government for the execution of the heritage corridor project.
