Ramakanta Biswas

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has sanctioned Rs 40 crore to expedite land acquisition and rehabilitation of displaced people from heritage security zone around Jagannath temple in Puri.

Joint secretary to Works department, Bimalendu Ray has shot a letter to the Chief Engineer, DPI & Roads Nirman Soudha, Bhubaneswar in this regard.

The allocation of funds assumes significance as the number of people willing to hand over their lands for the proposed developmental project around the Srimandir is increasing day by day. About 15 acres of land belonging to five mouzas which falls under the zone will be acquired for the planned project.

Earlier, the state government had announced special rehabilitation and resettlement package for people affected due to the eviction drive. The government has also announced 10 per cent additional benefits to those who will opt to hand over their land within one month.

Currently, a social impact assessment survey on the decision to clear structures within 75 metres radius of Jagannath temple in Puri is underway. Five teams of the Revenue and Disaster Management department began the survey from Chudanga Sahi Mouza near the North Gate of Srimandir.

Under the survey, the officials are visiting door to door and collecting feedback from the families who will be displaced due to the eviction. Besides, the officials are informing the families about the rehabilitation, resettlement and compensation policy of the government.

scrollToTop