Although the works of the much-awaited of Shreemandira Parikrama Marg are going on in full swing, confusion still persists over its final shape and timeline of its completion. The locals are still confused as to whether more lands would be acquired for the Rs 303 crore beautification project for the Jagannath Temple which has already gone through a roller coaster ride.
Locals living nearby the temple are worried every moment about what would happen to their houses and their rehabilitation if the Government goes for further eviction to acquire more lands.
If that happens, then more residents would have to lose their houses and lands and at the same time there would be more delays in finalisation of the project as the Government will take months together to complete the process. Already four years have elapsed and works are not up to the mark.
Meanwhile, the administration has ruled out any further encroachment of private property by clearing off a misgiving arisen out of the delaying project. The works are underway in right direction and there will be no further eviction of private lands, said Sub-Collector Bhabataran Sahu. Sahu further told that they would only acquire some lands near the east south corner of the temple for expansion of road as other three corners are safe.
It is worthwhile to mention here that works are being taken up within the 75-meter radius of Jagannath Temple after acquisition of around 16 acre of lands belonging to various mutts, monasteries, temples and private residents. Due to a legal tangle with some private landlords following their compensation and rehabilitation packages, eviction took more than 2 years since 2019. And a tussle with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) following alleged violation of the AMASAR Acts had pushed the works to a state of confusion. However, all legal hurdles were lifted after the Supreme Court gave a clean chit to the project. But suspense still persists on whether or not the Government will acquire more lands from private owners.