TV
The Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation Limited (OBCCL) has informed the Orissa High Court that the long-delayed redevelopment of the historic Cuttack Chandi Temple will now be completed by March 2026, extending the earlier target of December 2025.
In an affidavit submitted this week to the division bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice MS Raman, OBCCL said construction had reached an advanced stage and all necessary approvals had been secured, according to reports by The New Indian Express.
It also added that a technical committee comprising heritage and archaeology experts, including former senior officials of the Archaeological Survey of India and the Odisha Directorate of Archaeology, is overseeing the work to ensure the temple’s originality is preserved.
Major Structures Still Pending
Despite progress, key components, including the main temple structure, Chandi Patha, East Dwara (eastern gateway), and Yagyan Mandap, remain under construction.
OBCCL said skilled artisans are using traditional methods to retain architectural authenticity, and the remaining work will cover surveillance systems, ancillary facilities, and improved amenities for devotees.
The Court was reviewing the project’s status in response to a public interest litigation filed by Cuttack residents Sukanta Mohanty and Debasis Rout, who raised concerns over the safety of the idol during reconstruction and pressed for time-bound completion.
The Bench directed that any further instructions regarding construction must be routed through the technical Committee and allowed petitioners to approach the court if there is any further deviation or delay.
A Project Years In The Making
Notably, the Rs 70-crore redevelopment, sanctioned in 2022, aims to upgrade infrastructure, preserve heritage features, and enhance pilgrim facilities. The project involves dismantling the existing structure while safeguarding the sanctum sanctorum of the 11th-century shrine, which attracts more than 25 lakh devotees annually.
However, the redevelopment has faced repeated delays,missing at least five deadlines over the past three years, amid design changes, alleged quality issues, and slow execution. Earlier inspections found devotees struggling to access the sanctum due to debris and incomplete structures, prompting criticism from locals.
Cuttack Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde had earlier assured that the main temple work would be finished by December 2025, but the revised deadline is likely to trigger fresh dissatisfaction among devotees.
