Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation stone for Shri Jagannath temple "Parikrama Prakalpa" (Heritage Corridor Project) in Puri on Wednesday.

In the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Dibyasingha Deb, Chairman of Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee and titular king of Puri, laid the foundation at the culmination of a three-day yagna.

"Today is a historic day for all Jagannath Bhakts all over the world and indeed a sacred day for the people of Odisha," said CM Patnaik after laying foundations stone.

Being developed at an estimated investment of around ₹800 crore, the project will help create unobstructed 75-metre corridor around the Meghanada Pacheri (outer wall of Shree Jagannatha Temple).

The ambitious Puri Heritage Corridor Project was unveiled in 2019. The project aims at making adequate security provisions and amenities for the devotees to facilitate a smoother darshan of the deities during festivals as well as other special occasions.

Puri Heritage Corridor Project: Key Highlights:

• As part of the Puri Heritage Corridor Project, a reception hall to accommodate around 6,000 devotees, ATM counters, a green corridor around the temple, a cloakroom along with separate toilet complexes for devotees, pilgrim information points will be built.
• The work of the Puri Heritage Corridor Project will be executed by a Tata Group Company worth Rs. 331.26 crores within the period of 18 months.
• As a part of the Heritage Corridor Project, the infrastructure of around a 75-meter radius for the shrine from the 12th century will also be developed.
• Places of religious and historical significance such as Badachhata Mutt, Languli Mutt, and Chhauni Mutt will also be revamped in the new Kalingan Style of Architecture.

• The building of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration will be redeveloped, apart from creating a command and control center.
• A seven-lane-wide pathway for the devotees and a separate lane for the devotees will also be created.

Image courtesy: ANI