The State Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, on Monday approved Rs 3,208 crore under the Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA) scheme to make Puri a world-class heritage city.
The money would be spent over a period of three years. While Rs 719 crore will be spent during the current year, Rs 1402 crore will be spent in 2020-21 and Rs 1,087 crore to be spent the following year.
A total of 15 projects will be undertaken under the scheme as the number of pilgrims visiting Puri is expected to grow manifold in the days to come.
The ABADHA projects include the construction of a Lok Seva Bhavan to house all government offices under one roof and two multi-level car parking, redevelopment of the municipal market and Acharya Harihar Square.
Besides, development of a heritage security zone, Shree setu project, Musa river revival plan, Jagannath Ballav Pilgrim Centre (JBPC), housing projects, Puri lake development project, Raghunandan Library, Atharnala heritage project and the Matha development initiative would be undertaken.