Srimandir Parikrama project: ASI seeks more time to submit report before Odisha HC

Cuttack: With an alleged illegal excavation around the Jagannath Temple in Puri under Odisha Government’s much-hyped Srimandir Parikrama Project drew sharp criticism from various political and social outfits, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) sought more time from the Orissa High Court to submit a detailed report on the project.

Hearing a petition, the High Court today directed the State Government and ASI to carry out a joint inspection of ongoing construction activities around Srimandir.

The next hearing in the case was scheduled for May 16.

Raising concern over safety of centuries old religious structure, an intervening petition on ‘illegal digging’ around the temple has also been filed by one Dilip Baral.

Meanwhile, a team of Parliamentary Committee of Tourism and Culture Ministry has visited Puri Srimandir today. Before reviewing the construction activities around the temple, the team members including ASI ADG Alok Tripathy and Superintendent of ASI Odisha Arun Mallick had holy darshan of deities inside the Jagannath Temple in the morning.

Launched in December 2019, Srimandir Parikrama Project is an ‘ambitious’ project of the State Government to transform the pilgrim town Puri into a World Heritage City. The project is being carried out under supervision of ASI and National Monuments Authority (NMA). Under the project, various amenities and infrastructure around 75-metre radius of the Jagannath Temple are being developed.

However, the State Government is allegedly overlooking possible effects on structural stability of the Jagannath Temple due to ongoing construction around the centuries old shrine.

Also Read: Srimandir Parikrama Project: House Committee to meet soon