Vikash Sharma

Puri: After widespread resentment among local residents over establishment of a parking lot and shoe stand on land of Emar Mutt which was recently demolished for the Puri Heritage Corridor project, the tender was scrapped by the Puri Municipality authorities.

Informing about the development, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Puri Municipality, Bijay Das said, “The parking provision was created for the convenience of sevayats, shop owners and other devotees.”

Das said the tender for parking lot at Emar Mutt site has been cancelled after complaints.

Earlier, OTV had telecast a report on how dedicated parking lots and shoe stands have come up on land where Emar Mutt and historic Raghunandan library stood.

Official sources said as many as 17 historical Mutts and other religious institutions within 75 metre radius of Srimandir were demolished as part of Odisha government’s mega initiative to create a heritage corridor around the 12th century shrine. Odisha government had earlier announced that a new Raghnunandan library would be constructed on the Emar Mutt site.

However, tension prevailed in Puri after the land was used for parking and shoe stand. Local residents had sensed foul play citing that the tender process was initiated on January 24 and the tender was awarded on January 29.

Local residents then had alleged that “World class heritage cannot be developed by razing traditional heritage.”
Meanwhile, officials of Puri Munipality stated that stern action will be taken if any person or institution is found allowing parking of vehicles and collecting fee for the same.

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