Srimandir Parikrama Project: Outfit Opposes Digging Work Around Temple

The Shree Jagannath Bhakta Parishad on Saturday staged a demonstration against the ongoing construction and digging activities around Srimandir for the mega heritage corridor project around the sacred shrine.

Alleging that such excavation works pose serious threat to the Jagannath temple, convenor of the Parishad, Suryanarayan Rath said, “The way the State government is carrying out illegal construction activities around Puri Jagannath temple has hurt the sentiments of millions of devotees.”

According to Rath, already the controversy surrounding the construction works has reached the Orissa High Court. The court Friday has sought responses from Odisha government and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

“It is unfortunate that despite a House Committee being formed, no step was taken to stop the construction activities including digging of pits near the shrine. We are demanding immediate stoppage of all such works,” Rath added.

Members of the outfit suspect that some attempts have been made to weaken the foundation of the Srimandir by digging pits near it. The members of the outfit staged the demonstration in front of Puri Singhadwar.

On Friday, the Puri district administration refilled a pit dug for construction under the Srimandir Parikrama Project. Both the BJP and the Congress have started targeting the State government by accusing it for flouting of ASI norms in the construction of the project.

Speaker of Odisha Legislative Assembly, Surjya Narayan Patro Friday informed that a meeting of the Srimandir House Committee will be called soon to discuss the Parikrama project.