‘Some mistakes cannot be forgiven’: BJP slams BJD over multiple cracks emerging on Puri Srimandir’s ‘Meghanada Pacheri’

The ruling BJP slammed the previous BJD government over multiple cracks emerging on the Meghanada Pacheri, the gigantic boundary wall surrounding the Puri Srimandir.

The saffron party spokesperson Anil Biswal on Tuesday wrote on his social media account that former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his associate VK Pandian have made some mistakes for which the people of Odisha have to pay now.

“There are some mistakes which cannot be forgiven. During the previous government, former Chief Minister Naveen Babu and his associate VK Pandian have made some mistakes which now the people of Odisha have to pay. It is very sad to see how they have compromised an ancient heritage for their political gain. The temple of Lord Jagannath is our pride and identity. Now the cracks that have emerged in Meghnad Pachiri and the cracks that have started to emerge is a matter of concern for crores of Jagannath devotees. After the matter came to light, the Archaeological Department and the State government have started its repairing work. But the question is why did it happen?” asked Biswal.

“During the construction of the Parikrama project, the way big holes were dug around Srimandir by using huge machines, it affected Meghanada Pacheri. In the first place, the holes were dug by using the machines without the permission of the Archaeological Department and National Monument Authority. Such illegal work was done without complying with the AMASR Act of 1958 for which the case was taken to the court. Under what circumstances, the digging work was done without conducting any heritage impact study? As per the rule of National Monument Authority, no digging work could be done within 100 meters periphery of the temple. The way digging work was done around a 900 year old ancient temple by huge machines, its stability was damaged. Now, it is affecting Meghanada Pacheri. Who will say what will happen to the temple under its impact in coming days,” he further said.

“It is surprising that if the roads and toilets were to be constructed, then why such huge holes were dug around the temple? Isn’t it a conspiracy? Naveen Babu and Pandian Babu should clear air over the matter,” he added.

In response, BJD MLA Ganeswar Behera hit back BJP by asking whether the saffron party leaders are technical experts.

“Are BJP leaders technical experts? The matter would have been acceptable had it been spoken by technical experts. BJP can say anything. I want to suggest one thing that they should think twice before saying anything. One who made such a huge corridor project, did he do it to harm the temple? If they are thinking like this, they should correct their thought,” said Behera.

Making things worse, water is also getting leaked through the wall near the West gate.

In response to the matter, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said that the cracks have been developed on the wall for a long time.

“Letter has been written to ASI in this regard and the process has been started for permanent repairing of these cracks. An elaborate plan has been made for the permanent repairing of these cracks and other places in the temple through which water is seeping. These works will be finished very soon,” said Harichandan.