Puri: In the midst of a raging controversy over alleged irregularity in construction work under the Srimandir Parikrama project, the Puri district administration today dismissed reports on violations, in any form.
Collector Samarth Verma, who met a delegation of lawyers protesting the alleged irregularity, said, “All the construction work under Parikrama project is meant for setting up public amenities like toilets, cloakroom, drinking water kiosks, adequate space for queues for devotees, etc.”
There is no form of illegality or violation, or risk to the foundation of the Jagannath Temple because of the construction work which is being carried out strictly under the regulations of Central and State Government agencies, he added.
The advocates, prior to calling on the Collector had visited the site and surveyed the ongoing construction work on the periphery of the century-old shrine. The advocates had demanded to cease work and an inquiry into the construction which they said posed a danger to the Jagannath Temple.
Refuting the claims in some sections of the media and fingers raised by the lawyers’ forum, senior officials in the district administration said the construction works is genuine and necessary approvals have been secured before the project commenced.
“We have placed all approvals and related documents in the public domain. The lawyers were shown the same apart from the drawing, design, estimates, and technical aspects of the Parikrama project. The approval from National Monument Authority and Visit Note of Director General of Archeological Survey of India has also been made public to make things clear,” Verma added.
