As per the recent official announcement, The Odisha cabinet on Oct 21 approved Rs 3,208 crore under the “ABADHA scheme” to make Puri a world class heritage city. Meanwhile, Chief secretary Asit Tripathy told that, The money will be spent under the Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA) scheme over a period of three years.
He also stated that Rs 790 crore would be spent this year. And the government has already approved 15 projects under the scheme as the number of pilgrims visiting Puri is expected to grow manifold in the days to come.
The ABADHA projects include the construction of a Lok Seva Bhavan to house all government offices under one roof and two multi-level car parking, redevelopment of the municipal market and Acharya Harihar Square. The Lok Seva Bhavan will be constructed over 10 acres of land at a cost of Rs 64.5 crore, Official sources informed.
Besides, the government has planned several other projects including development of a heritage security zone, Shree setu project, Musa river revival plan, Jagannath Ballav Pilgrim Centre (JBPC), housing projects, Puri lake development project, Raghunandan library, Atharanala heritage project and the Matha development initiative, IANS news agency reported.
Despite all of this, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, On September 5, approved three redevelopment projects in Puri including a project worth Rs 25 crore for the reconstruction of Raghunandan library, housing project worth Rs 95 crore for rehabilitation of the displaced people from security zone of Jagannath Temple and a project to construct the Heritage Security Zone.
Under #ABADHA program, ₹256Cr already allotted for infra development in Puri. Other initiatives include construction of state’s first trumpet bridge in the town and development of Atharnala. #PuriWorldHeritageCity pic.twitter.com/tJLhXUWS57
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) August 23, 2019
Consequently, Rs 3,208 crore with five other projects worth Rs 265.5 crore under the ABADHA would not only generate massive infrastructure in the city but it also decide how tourism will take shape in a prospect. It transform Puri into a world-class heritage city, cabinet approves projects worth Rs 3208 crore for Puri under the scheme which will be implemented during 2019-20 and 2021-22.
Author: Trilok Singh, CEO here.
