Holy Bindusagar Pond in Bhubaneswar to be transformed into heritage lake

The historic Bindusagar Pond in Bhubaneswar will be developed into a heritage lake as part of the Ekamra Heritage Project, which is expected to be completed by the end of FY 2026-27. This was announced on Sunday by Law and Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan.

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The Minister also revealed plans to establish an interpretation centre at the far end of the parking zone. A grand statue of Lord Lingaraj will be constructed at the site. With the addition of these two components, the overall project budget is expected to increase.

Harichandan further informed that the previous agency assigned to the work declined to continue. As a result, a new agency will now be entrusted with executing the project.

“We hope to complete the Ekamra Project by the end of current financial year. I am fully confident that we will finish the project within this financial year by any means. We have added an additional scope to it, which involves an interpretation centre and the construction of a massive statue of the Lord (Lingaraj),” the Works Minister said.

“Secondly, the peripheral development of Bindusagar, which was not part of the original plan, has been included. To transform Bindusagar into an exceptionally beautiful lake and give it the look of a heritage lake, we are initiating all necessary processes. Our design team has also been instructed to begin the processing accordingly,” the Minister stated.

“The previous work was descoped because the earlier agency was no longer willing to work. Therefore, we are incorporating it into the new scope along with the other additions, such as the development of Bindusagar and its surroundings, the interpretation centre, and a grand idol of Lingaraj—a massive statue of Lord Shiva,” the Works Minister informed.

“The process of integrating all these aspects is underway, and funds can be allocated for whatever is required overall. There is no issue with that; we have the funds available and will start the work soon,” Minister Harichandan expressed to mediapersons.