Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday reviewed the project of making Puri a world heritage city and approved three projects for the city.
The projects are Heritage Security Zone, rebuilding of the Raghunandan Library and construction of 600 houses within 1.5 km from the Jagannath Temple for rehabilitation of the displaced persons.
Under the Heritage Security Zone plan, the 75-metre area from the Shremandir will be renovated keeping in view the importance of traditional temples, and trees and artefacts linked to the Jagannath culture. For this, an expert panel will be formed. “An expert panel will be set up to monitor work on various disciplines such as temple architecture and art, heritage and conservation of architecture, art history, arboriculture and Shree Jagannath Culture,” said a CMO release.
A road of 15-metre width will be constructed and the rest 60 metre would be renovated. The Raghunandan Library, which was a part of the Emar mutt, would be rebuilt and developed as a research centre of the Jagannath Culture.
A total of Rs 95 crore would be spent for constructing 600 houses for rehabilitation of displaced people. Each house have an built up area of 520 square feet. Notably, the Government has sanctioned Rs 265 crore under the Abhadah Yojana and another package of Rs 595 crore for development works. Tenders would be invited soon for undertaking projects with the second-phase fund.
Among others, Housing and Urban Development Minister Pratap Jena, Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy, Development Commissioner Suresh Chandra Mohaptra and Works Secretary Krishan Kumar were present.