Resentment over Vishwakarma temple demolition plans

Bhubaneswar: Resentment is brewing among locals over proposed demolition plans of a Vishwakarma temple located adjacent to the Kalinga Stadium by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) ahead of Hockey World Cup in 2018.

The committee of the Vishwakarma temple raised its opposition after BMC, BDA authorities served a notice regarding the demolition. Even the temple committee has now moved court to seek its intervention.

Though a high-level meeting was held in presence of BMC Mayor, BDA vice chairperson and local MLA to resolve the issue, the meeting ended inconclusive.

BJD MLA from Bhubaneswar (Central) Bijay Mohanty stated that no decision has been taken yet as talks are still in preliminary stage. Appropriate decision will be taken after proper consultation with all parties.

On the other hand, Parsuram Moharana, president of the Vishwakarma Samiti, said, “We want the temple to remain at the same place and will oppose if the government plans to relocate it.”

The temple was established in 1968 in the Nayapalli area and the shrine is the sixth temple of Lord Vishwakarma in the entire country.

BMC Mayor Anant Narayan Jena said that efforts are on to find an amicable solution on the matter.