Srimandir corridor: National Monument Authority gives nod to reception centre

The National Monuments Authority (NMA) has accorded a no objection certificate (NOC) for construction of the Shree Jagannath Reception Centre in the prohibited and regulated area of Jagannath temple.

The NOC was granted in the 361st NOC meeting of the NMA held on September 9. With this NOC, Jagannath Reception Centre will now come up in regulated zone under Sri Jagannath Heritage Project.

"The Authority recommended grant of NOC for construction of Shree Jagannatha Reception Centre in the regulated area at a distance of 101.50 meters from the protected monument with a height of 7.50 meters (G+1), inclusive all with the floor area of GF = 1365 sqm and FF =1305 sqm and Mezzanine floor = 143 sqm," read the NMA letter.

Earlier, the Jagannath Reception Centre was proposed in the prohibited area of the shrine .  In the original plan, the centre was proposed over an area of 7,917 sq metre in a G+2 structure.

The Authority examined the revised the report submitted by Sri Jagannath Temple Administration in April 2022 along with the NOC application forwarded by Competent Authority for Shree Jagannath Reception Centre. 

Notably, the NMA on September 4, 2021 granted a no-objection certificate to some selected constructions under the corridor project. As per the NMA letter, constructions of a cloak room, mini-cloak room, shelter pavilion, female and male toilets, electrical room and pavement area are allowed in the prohibited area (100 metres from the temple.

The NMA also recommended the construction of an additional Sevyayat Toilet and Cloak Room on the western side of the protected monument in prohibited area under Section 2(dc) of AMASR Act, 1958.