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While the consecration of the Sri Ram Temple in Ayodhya captures national attention, a significant redevelopment initiative surrounding the Sri Jagannatha Temple in Puri is poised for inauguration by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on January 17. The ?800 crore project, initiated in 2019, focuses on constructing a 75-metre heritage corridor encircling the 12th-century Sri Jagannatha Temple. The immediate vicinity of the temple was previously congested with commercial and residential structures, along with 19 ancient mathas established centuries ago. The narrow lanes posed security risks and inconvenience to pilgrims navigating around the temple. The parikrama features a seven-metre wide green buffer zone protecting the outer temple walls, followed by a ten-metre wide inner pradakshina path. The outer pradakshina includes landscaped zones, pilgrim amenities, and emergency service lanes. Approximately 4.88 acres of private land surrounding the temple were acquired with generous compensation, rehabilitation, and resettlement grants. Out of the total project cost, ?500 crore was allocated for compensating and resettling displaced residents, commercial establishments, lodges, and mathas. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is also scheduled to inaugurate additional development projects on January 17. This includes a 2.3-km long four-lane road connecting the national highway to the multi-level car parking lot inside the town. Pilgrims will have direct access to the Grand Road in front of the temple without entering Puri town. The Parikrama project, spearheaded by V. K. Pandian, Chairman of 5T and Nabin Odisha, known for his close association with the Chief Minister, marks a significant step towards enhancing the infrastructure and pilgrimage experience around the revered Sri Jagannatha Temple in Puri. |
