Coming down heavily on the ruling BJD government over the Heritage Corridor project around Puri Srimandir, BJP national spokesperson Samibt Patra on Wednesday accused the Odisha government of destroying the State's rich heritage.
Speaking to the media after paying obeisance to the Holy Trinity at the pilgrim town, the BJP leader said, “I pray before Lord Jagannath to give some good sense to Odisha government and also to MP Pinaki Mishra. This government has destroyed our heritage.”
“The Archeological Survey of India's report is a shocker. I am not going to stay silent anymore. I want to ask the State government why it is violating the rules laid by the competent authorities,” Patra questioned.
“The AG in the Orissa HC said we will shift the reception zone to the regulated zone from the prohibited zone. This means the government was setting up the reception zone in the prohibited area. The illegal construction in the prohibited zone is concerning,” the BJP leader added.
Reacting to the allegations, BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said Patra’s is doing drama to stay in the limelight.
"Whatever Sambit Patra is saying is a drama. He is doing all this to be in the limelight. Did he ever speak about Lord Jagannath or visit Puri before being chosen as a candidate?" Deb asked.
Meanwhile, Puri SDJM court has directed Singhadwar Police to register a case against the district Collector, Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation (OBCC) and Tata Projects after hearing a petition filed by lawyers over the Srimandir Parikrama project.