Secret tunnel gets buried during facelift of historic Markandeya tank; locals fume

Puri: An ancient and secret tunnel (Suranga) that earlier exited at Markandeya tank in Puri gradually got buried during the development and beautification work of the historic water body, which is underway. This has triggered strong resentment among local residents who alleged utter admin neglect today.

Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation (OBCC) Limited has been entrusted with the development and beautification work of the Markandeya tank and Markandeswar Temple in the pilgrim town. The tunnel has now been blocked with a concrete wall constructed in front of it. The stone-made tunnel built to feed water to the tank has been withering away, thereby posing a serious threat, many locals stated.

The tunnel was built during the rule of King Kapilendra Deb and dates back to the British Era. Passing underneath a Goshala (cow shelter), the tunnel mingled with the Mangala River at Jamuna Ghat.

The tunnel is said to be around 500-year-old and its width is about five feet. The compound wall near the tunnel had collapsed several times during the rainy seasons and was repaired at subsequent times. With the passage of time, the tunnel was blocked and now a concrete wall has been constructed in front of it. Due to water logging inside, the tunnel has caved in at many places and gone down at several others.

“We used to play inside the tunnel in our childhood days. Now, the dilapidated parts of the tunnel could turn out to be dangerous for local residents,” a legal professional Chinmaya Dash expressed.

“Chingudi Nala (creek) also previously exited on the west side of the tunnel which has now been completely encroached. Rainwater used to ingress and get drained out through this passage and it has now got entirely buried,” Markandeya Unnayan Committee vice-president Papina Kumar Satpathy rued.

When contacted, the manager of OBCC-3 in Puri town Sridhar Rout said, “We are not aware of the existence of the tunnel and will take necessary steps after an inspection of the alleged construction site.”

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