Odisha govt sanctions Rs 40 cr to acquire land near Jagannath temple

Odisha government has sanctioned Rs 40 crore for purchase of land for  development of a 'Herit Security Zone' around Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Bimalendu Ray, Joint Secretary to state government wrote a letter to Chief Engineer, DPI (Design, Planning, and Investigation) and Roads, Nirman Soudha in Bhubaneswar on this aspect.

"...I am directed to inform you that you are permitted to place a lump sum fund to tune of Rs 40 crore available in Land Acquisition Head of Account for purpose of land acquisition/direct purchases and R&R packs in respect of aforesaid works and or related projects in Puri," said letter dated September 30.

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Redevelopment Projects

three redevelopment projects in Puri were approved by Naveen Patnaik on September 5. redevelopment projects included a project worth Rs 25 crore for reconstruction of Raghunandan library, a housing project worth Rs 95 crore for rehabilitation of displaced people from security zone of Jagannath Temple, and a project to construct Herit Security Zone.

Raghunandan library, located on premises of historic Emar Mutt will be developed as a centre for Jagannath Culture Research. library was recently demolished under ongoing demolition drive within a radius of 75-meters of temple.  Raghunandan library was established in year 1921 by n Mahant of -old Emar Mutt. Rare palm-leaf manuscripts and books on various subjects in Sanskrit, Odia, and Bengali are still available within library.

Under planned housing project, 600 houses will be constructed for displaced people within 1.5 kilometres radius of temple.

Jagannath Temple of Puri

 Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Maha Vishnu. present temple was rebuilt in 10th Century by first King of Eastern Ganga Dynasty, Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva.

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