Puri: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday visited the pilgrim town of Puri and laid the foundation stone of seven projects under the Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA) scheme, with an aim to transform Puri into a ‘world heritage city.
The CM reached at Talabania helipad at 11.45 am and from there he left for Srimandir where he paid obeisance to the deities. The CM spent around 20 minutes inside the Jagannath Temple.
Extending his New Year greetings to the people, the CM said, “I am always happy to visit Srimandir in Puri and prays for the welfare of the people of our state.”
The projects flagged off by the CM includes ‘Shree Setu’, ‘Jagannath Ballav Pilgrim Centre’, ‘Multi-level Car Parking’ and ‘Municipal Market Complex’ under the Augmentation Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA) scheme, while other projects include improvement of ‘Swargadwar’, ‘Vending Zone at Sea Beach’ and ‘Centralised Kitchen for Mid-Day Meal and Aahar’.
Shree Setu:
Conceived to provide a direct access-controlled entry to Jagannath Ballav Pilgrim Centre from National Highway 316, the Shree Setu will be a signature bridge representing the rich architecture and heritage of Odisha. Proposed with an allocation of Rs 181 crore, the mega project will boast 2.3km-long bridge and its road. In a bid to execute the initiative, both private and government land will be acquired in Samang, Matitota, Markandeswar Sahi No-1 and Dandimala Sahi Mouzas under Puri tehsil.
Jagannath Ballav Pilgrim Centre:
A six-storey world-class pilgrim centre will be built on the premises of Jagannath Ballav Mutt near Narendra Kona. With an allocation of Rs 190 crore, the pilgrim centre will have a multi-level parking for 1,000 four-wheelers, commercial meditation apace apart from other modern amenities.
Multi-level car parking:
A multi-level car parking will come up on Jail Road near Hospital Square. With an allocation of Rs 90.22 crore, the four-storey complex can accommodate 500 four-wheelers and bikes.
Municipal Market Complex at Badadanda:
An ultra-modern market complex will come up on Badadanda with an allocation of Rs 44.82 crore. The five-storey complex (Basement, ground and three floors) will offer 500 vending units, parking space for 100 four-wheelers. The project will have a 300 kilo-watt rooftop solar system.
Swargadwar Facelift:
Apart from improvement of general amenities, the project includes construction of elevated structures and two electric heaters for cremation. The project has been funded from Chief Minister’s Relief fund.
Vending Zone at Sea Beach:
As many as 800 CRZ-complaint vending kiosks will be built at the sea beach with an allocation of Rs 12 crore.
Centralised kitchen for MDM and Aahar:
A central kitchen with state-of-the-art facilities will come up at Mangalaghat. The kitchen which will come up on 50,000 sqft area will offer 50,000 meals on a daily basis for mid-day meal and Aahar centres.
Besides, the CM took review of several mega projects while senior officials also briefed him about the status of the undergoing developmental and beautification projects. Appreciating these works, the CM further adds: “The projects surrounding the temple are very beautiful indeed.”
Notably, in October last year, the Odisha government had sanctioned Rs 3208 crore under the ABADHA scheme in three years to transform Puri into a world heritage city. While Rs 719 crore will be spent under the scheme in 2019-20, the cost of the projects to be taken up under ABADHA will be around Rs 1402 crore and Rs 1087 crore in 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively.
Among others who were present with the CM are, Works Secretary Krishan Kumar and CM’s private Secretary and 5T Secretary V Karthikeya Pandian, School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash, Puri MLA Jayanta Sarangi, Pipili MLA Pradeep Maharathy, DIG (Central Range) Ashish Singh, Puri Collector Balwant Singh, Puri Superintendent of Police Umashankar Dash and several officials of the district.