Puri: Following hue and cry and the Orissa High Court’s order, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) led by regional director, OBCC, Tata Projects authorities & District Collector reached Puri to inspect Srimandir Heritage Corridor project.
As the High Court has directed the ASI to submit its affidavit before it by May 7, the ASI would conduct the inspection along with officials from the Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation (OBCC) and the Tata Projects. Accordingly, it would submit its affidavit before the court, sources said.
Sources also said the ASI would inspect the corridor construction activities undertaken around the temple. The depth and height of the under-constructed project would be observed and subsequently recorded.
Notably, till now, the ASI has remained silent over the issue, which has created a spark in State politics. Though the Puri district administration has informed that it has the ASI’s approval for the project, the Central agency remains silent on this, for which the project has been dragged into controversy.
In a recent RTI reply, the ASI said it has not provided any kind of NOC to the State Government for the heritage project.
