Bhubaneswar: In the wake of protests over ongoing demolitions around Shri Jagannath temple in Puri, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Thursday approved three more development projects for the pilgrim town.
The chief minister who attended a high-level meeting to review projects undertaken to make Puri a world heritage city also approved the projects. A Heritage Security Zone will be set up within 75 metres from the temple, he said and ordered an expert panel to monitor the work on various disciplines such as temple architecture and art, heritage and conservation, arboriculture and Jagannath culture.
As per the decision, a 15-metre pathway out of 75 metres would be laid for visitors while restoration work will be undertaken in the remaining 60 metres.
The government plans to build Raghunandan Library on the land of Emar Mutt where a research centre for Jagannath culture would come up at an investment of Rs 25 crore.
A rehabilitation colony will be built within 1.5 km from the temple for the evicted families. About 600 housing units will be constructed with an investment of Rs 95 crore. Each unit will have a built-up area of 520 square ft.
Earlier, the government had taken up projects under Abhada scheme. In the first phase, projects worth Rs 265 crore will be executed and various other development projects worth Rs 595 crore will be undertaken subsequently.