Archaeological remains of Puri Jagannath Temple 'destroyed': ASI

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), after a joint inspection, has told the Orissa High Court that the ongoing Shree Mandira Parikrama Project “might have destroyed” the archaeological remains of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.

A PIL was filed in the High Court of Orissa regarding construction/development activities being going on within the prohibited area of Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri. The petitioner had asked the court to direct the state government to stop the construction activities that are part of the Rs 800 crore Shree Mandira Parikrama Project.

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Last month, after hearing the petition, the Orissa High Court had asked the ASI to conduct a joint inspection with the state government.

After conducting the joint inspection on May 1, the ASI field an affidavit in the high court and said the ongoing construction work has no valid permission or NOC (no objection certificate) issued by it.

“During the joint inspection followed by onsite discussions with OBCC and SJTA officials, it is found that the ongoing construction work of the Shree Mandira Parikrama Project has no valid permission/NOC issued by the Competent Authority,” the ASI said.

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“The drawings and structural designs included in the revised DPR are different from the one present to NMA. Frequent changes have been noticed. There is every possibility that the agency (OBCC) during the excavation/soil removal might have destroyed the archaeological remains of the heritage site,” it added.

The ASI said, “On May 1 the joint inspection was conducted along with Superintending Archaeologist and other officials of ASI, Bhubaneswar Circle and officials of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), District Magistrate, Puri and EIC-cum-MD of Odisha Bridge Construction Corporation (OBCC).”

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Taking note of ASI’s observations, the Orissa High Court cautioned the Naveen Patnaik government and asked it to ensure there is no damage is caused to the 12th century shrine.

The ASI report has resulted in the BJP attacking the Odisha government.

“The joint inspection note filed by ASI , as part of its affidavit, in the Hon’ble High Court ,is worth reading. Very meticulously prepared. It says all; the wrongdoings of the State Govt are crystal clear. Satyamev Jayate Hope it does. We can only pray to Lord Jagannath (sic),” tweeted BJP MP from Bhubaneshwar, Aparajita Sarangi.

The joint inspection note filed by ASI , as part of its affidavit,in the Hon’ble High Court,is worth reading.Very meticulously prepared. It says all; the wrongdoings of the State Govt are crystal clear.

Satyamev Jayate

Hope it does.We can only pray to Lord Jagannath 🙏 pic.twitter.com/EdQZ9TTn3S

— Aparajita Sarangi, Member of Parliament (@AprajitaSarangi) May 10, 2022

Earlier, she had stated that public money was spent on forcibly creating infrastructure in the Shree Jagannath Temple.

“After filing of ASI’s affidavit before the Hon’ble High Court today, I am convinced that Lord Jagannath is trying to save Himself and His temple from an elected State Government which is hell bent upon brazenly defying the law,” she tweeted.

So much of public money is being spent on forcibly creating infrastructure which could easily be created beyond 100 metres. If the structures are declared illegal tomorrow who will be responsible for wastage of hundreds of crore of rupees which is the hard earned money of Odias?

— Aparajita Sarangi, Member of Parliament (@AprajitaSarangi) May 9, 2022

“So much of public money is being spent on forcibly creating infrastructure which could easily be created beyond 100 metres. If the structures are declared illegal tomorrow who will be responsible for wastage of hundreds of crore of rupees which is the hard earned money of Odias?” she added.

After filing of ASI’s affidavit before the Hon’ble High Court today, I am convinced that Lord Jagannath is trying to save Himself and His temple from an elected State Government which is hell bent upon brazenly defying the law.

— Aparajita Sarangi, Member of Parliament (@AprajitaSarangi) May 9, 2022