The controversy around the Jagannath temple Heritage Corridor Project

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The Puri Heritage Corridor Project is a ₹3,200 crore redevelopment project of the 800-year-old Jagannath temple in Puri by the Odisha government to create an international heritage site.

About Puri Jagannath temple

What are the issues surrounding Puri Heritage Corridor Project?

The Puri Heritage Corridor Project is a ₹3,200 crore redevelopment project of and around the 800-year-old Jagannath temple in Puri by the Odisha government to create an international heritage site.

Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation (OBBC) started excavation work within 75 metres of the Jagannath temple to build public amenities.

Experts and members of civil society objected to the use of heavy machinery for digging, citing the possibility of an adverse impact on the 12th-century temple.

A plea was also filed regarding the project in the Orissa High Court. The ASI was directed to conduct a joint inspection. The ASI observed that there was “possibility that the agency OBCC during the excavation or soil removal might have destroyed the archaeological remains of the heritage site”.

It also found that “no valid permission or no objection certificate (NOC) issued by the competent authority”.

What are the legal challenges associated with the Puri Heritage Corridor Project?

The Jagannath temple has been designated a monument of national importance by the ASI and is a centrally protected monument.

As per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act (AMSAR), construction is prohibited within a 100-metre periphery of a protected area.

The area extending to 200 metres around the monument in all directions is called a regulated area. Permission from the National Monuments Authority (NMA) is required if construction has to be undertaken in the regulated or prohibited area.

The term “construction” as defined in the AMSAR Act does not include the construction of public toilets, urinals, and “similar conveniences”. Hence, the Odisha government refuted the ASI report in court, and also mention that the project did not come under “construction” as per the AMSAR Act.

Source: The post is based on the article “The controversy around the Jagannath temple Heritage Corridor Project” published in The Hindu on 25th May 2022.