Puri’s Rs 135.6 crore Dharmasala project delay leaves pilgrims without shelter, concerns grow over facility for devotees

Pilgrims arriving in Puri continue to face severe accommodation challenges as the construction of a government-supported dharmasala remains incomplete well past its deadline. The absence of affordable lodging has intensified hardships for devotees travelling from distant regions, prompting intellectual circles to question the prolonged delay and the timeline for the project’s completion.

Under the Abadha scheme, a dharmasala with the capacity to house 2,500 devotees is being constructed near the Baselisahi police station. The Puri District Collector has assured that the work will be completed soon.

Thousands of devotees visit Srimandir each day for darshan of Lord Jagannath and traditionally rely on mutts and dharmasalas for accommodation. However, many such facilities were demolished under the Srimandir Parikrama Project initiated by the previous government. Following the demolitions, the Supreme Court directed the state to arrange accommodation for 60,000 devotees, leading to the launch of the Baselisahi Dharmasala project in 2022 on a 5-acre plot.

Concerns Over Devotee Facilities

The previous government had allocated Rs 135.6 crore for the project, setting a completion deadline of August 22, 2024. Despite the stipulated timeline, construction work remains far from complete. As a result, hundreds of devotees are spending nights on Badadanda, while others are forced to pay steep prices for hotels and lodges. Intellectuals have termed the delay unfortunate, especially for poor and middle-income pilgrims who depend on low-cost accommodations.

A devotee recounted the difficulties faced, “Earlier, people could get shelter for just Rs 25. Large halls were available for spending the night. Now there is no such possibility. We do not have access to shelters, public toilets or basic necessities, and many of us are spending the night under the open sky.”

Officials Assure Faster Progress

Former Puri MLA Jayanta Sarangi said the uneven land at the site required extensive sand-filling and levelling, which contributed to the delay. “Work is progressing steadily, and the facility will be ready for the public soon,” he said.

Puri Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida outlined the planned amenities, including rooms, dormitories, toilets, open spaces and elevators. The facility, he said, will accommodate up to 2,500 devotees. “We are trying to complete the work soon,” he added.