THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, OCTOBER 12, 2026

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday directed officials to expedite key infrastructure, heritage conservation and tourism projects in Puri, underscoring that the transformation of the pilgrim town into a world-class destination must go hand in hand with the protection of the interests of local sevayats, traders and residents.

Chairing a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan here, Majhi said Puri was not merely a district but the very identity of Odisha and a sacred centre of faith for millions of Lord Jagannath devotees across the world. He called for a development strategy that combined global standards with sensitivity to the town’s religious traditions, cultural heritage and local livelihoods.

The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of several major projects, including the proposed Shri Jagannath International Airport, reconstruction of the historic Raghunandan Library and establishment of the Shri Jagannath Interpretation Centre. He also called for expediting plans for a new amusement park, comprehensive development of Gundicha Temple and construction of a modern kitchen for the preparation of Mahaprasad.

In a move aimed at mitigating the impact of development on small traders, Majhi directed officials to immediately arrange temporary relocation for street vendors and shopkeepers displaced from Bada Danda near Shri Setu. The measure, he said, should help minimise disruption to their livelihoods while development works proceed.

The meeting also reviewed plans for beautification and improved road connectivity at important religious and heritage sites, including the Gopaljiu Temple at Sakhigopal, Satlahari Math associated with Atibadi Jagannath Das, other prominent mutts in Puri and the Maa Mangala Temple at Kakatpur.

The revival of Odisha’s cultural and educational legacy figured prominently in the discussions. The Chief Minister called for the revival of Satyabadi Banavidyalaya along the lines of the traditional gurukul system, while restoration work at Bakulban continues.

Other projects under review included the reconstruction of a heritage bridge near Atharanala, redevelopment of Annapurna Theatre, beautification of Puri beach and improvement of facilities at Swargadwar, the town’s major cremation ground.

The meeting also discussed better management of the evening aarti and the ‘Sagar Bije’ ritual of Lord Jagannath, with the emphasis on preserving religious traditions while improving the experience of devotees and visitors.

On the infrastructure front, Majhi reviewed plans to widen and improve the Puri–Brahmagiri, Puri–Konark and Puri–Bhubaneswar roads. Officials also presented updates on the Shri Jagannath Medical College, efforts to secure Blue Flag certification for beaches, the Astaranga Port project and initiatives linked to the Konark Sun Temple.

Expressing concern over delays and lapses in project execution, the Chief Minister directed all departments to complete ongoing works within the stipulated timelines, warning against negligence, irregularities and avoidable delays.

He instructed departmental officers, the Puri Collector and the Superintendent of Police to monitor implementation personally on the ground and ensure close coordination among the agencies concerned.

Majhi stressed that development initiatives must translate into tangible social, economic and cultural benefits for the people of Puri rather than remain confined to official files and paperwork. He called on all stakeholders to work in a coordinated manner to ensure that the district’s religious significance, heritage and tourism potential were strengthened together.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Development Commissioner D.K. Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Shashwat Mishra, Puri Collector Dibyajyoti Parida and Superintendent of Police Pratik Singh attended the meeting and briefed the Chief Minister on the status of the projects.