Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government plans to launch an initiative similar to the ABADHA scheme to accelerate the development of Puri, with a focus on improving infrastructure, strengthening facilities for pilgrims and promoting Lord Jagannath’s culture, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said on Friday.
Speaking to reporters, Harichandan said all future development projects undertaken under the proposed initiative would be brought under the scheme.
“We are going to introduce an initiative similar to the Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA) scheme. All future projects undertaken under this initiative will be brought under the same scheme,” he said.
The minister said the state government aimed to transform Puri into a well-developed and beautiful city, with special emphasis on promoting Lord Jagannath’s culture and implementing various projects related to the Shree Jagannath Temple.
Work on several projects had already begun, and the government would ensure their successful implementation, he said.
The proposed initiative is expected to improve facilities for devotees and make visits to the pilgrim town more convenient. It would also help promote the cultural and spiritual significance of Lord Jagannath, Harichandan said.
The ABADHA scheme was launched by the Odisha government in the 2017–18 financial year to augment basic amenities and develop the heritage and architecture of Puri.
The state-sponsored programme aims to transform the temple town, home to the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple, into a world-class heritage and spiritual pilgrimage destination.
