Thanks to the apathy of the State Government and the Puri district administration, a grant worth Rs 32 crore of the Indian Oil Foundation (IOF) for the beautification of the Sun Temple still lies unutilised.
In 2001, the IOF had given the grant for the peripheral beautification of the Sun Temple, but the works were obstructed by the locals. Since the area of the shrine had been encroached upon, it created trouble to carry out the peripheral development. At last, Srico Projects Private limited was given the tender of the project in May last.
However, Srico too could not go ahead as the projected site was totally encroached. The IOF informed the Puri District Collector and the RDC (Central) about the matter several times and requested to take necessary steps, but they never heeded. Meanwhile, RDC Pradipta Kumar Mahapatra has assured to make the site encroachment-free as soon as the project work starts, but it has been two months since the Srico workers are on the site to resume the work, while no eviction drive has been taken by the administration yet.
The Chief Executive Officer of IOF Rajesh visited the site on June 12 and directed Srico to carry out some eye-catching works as the Chief Minister, the State Culture Minister and the Union Petroleum Minister are scheduled to visit Konark between July 5 and 10 to lay foundation stone of the project work.
When contacted, Puri District Collector and the RDC declined to comment on the eviction issue, given their busy schedule for the July 10 Rath Yatra.