Puri/ Bhubaneswar: On orders of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the work on Shree Jagannath Heritage Corridor Project and Shree Lingaraj Temple Heritage Project resumed today. The demolition had stalled because of the imposition of lockdown to control the spread of novel coronavirus.
Today morning, the demolition and removal of debris in the holy town of Puri began from the northern side of the 75-metre radius. Rest of Dakshinparshwa Mutt and Laxmi Bazar are being demolished today with two JCB machines and in the presence of a Magistrate and two platoons of force.
In all 15-acre 12-decimal land of the five mouja area will be cleared in the 75-metre radius of the Srimandir; which includes 185 private properties, 18 mutts, two ashrams and 12 temples. Till date, about 95 per cent work has been completed. Of the 18 mutts, 14 mutts have already been demolished and the land acquisition by the State Government.
Famed mutts such as Emar Mutt, Mangu Mutt, Sanachata Mutt, Languli Mutt and Dakshinparshwa Mutt and Rebesa Mutt have already been demolished, the work on rest will soon be completed, said officials. Demolition of all private properties, except those having legal complications, have been completed.
Coming to the State Capital, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) also resumed demolition for developmental work of the Lingaraj Temple. The Government had decided to initiate an Ekamra Kshetra Yojana on 66 acres of peripheral land for the beautification of the 11th Century Shiva temple.
