Puri Master Plan update: Odisha govt revamps effort to fast-track projects

The Odisha government ramped up efforts to implement its ambitious Puri Master Plan, conducting a high-level, 4-hour review meeting on Thursday at Lok Seva Bhawan to assess the progress and set strict deadlines for completion of key projects.

Also Read: Ambitious ‘Tri-City’ plan on anvil to transform Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri!

The key meeting was chaired by Deputy CM Pravati Parida, with Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee, Puri District Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida, OBCC officials, and other key stakeholders in attendance.

The review covered multiple projects:

•    Renovation of five sacred tanks (Pushkarinis).
•    Traffic decongestion in Puri pilgrimage town.
•    Development of a promenade (Pramod Udyan) and Gurukul.
•    Housing for Sevayats (servitors).
•    Staff quarters for SJTA employees.

Each project has been assigned a clear deadline, and separate implementation teams have been created to ensure timely execution. Departments have been asked to complete tasks within the scheduled time, with regular monitoring.

Law Minister Harichandan also confirmed the Ratna Bhandar (temple treasury) repairs have been completed. If item inventory and weight verification (Ganati Manati) does not begin by this month, it will be undertaken in October, followed by the shifting of the Lords’ valuables for proposed queue-based Darshan arrangements.

A proposal for the Hundi (donation box) shifting has also been submitted by the managing committee. Final approval from the Chief Minister is awaited before the actual movement begins.

“A high-level discussion was held today, and I think after this review meeting, the project works will be expedited and the Departments concerned will also complete the projects within the stipulated deadlines,” the Law Minister said to mediapersons.

“This key meeting will help implement the plans to develop Puri into a ‘world-class heritage city’. Different projects have their separate deadlines,” the Law Minister added.

Reported By: Simpul