Puri: The district administration has failed to ensure an ambience of holiness near the Srimandir here despite spending crores of rupees for laying a walk around the 12th century shrine a couple of years ago.
A walking path around the temple has turned into a hotspot for vendors and parking lot for two-wheelers in the absence of punitive action by the administration.
The administration had decided to construct a 30ft-wide path around Srimandir during the Nabakalebara festival in 2015. The new path was supposed to cater to the devotees who prefer to take a walk around the shrine.
The administration had acquired several plots from private individuals and mutts near Srimandir to construct the walk way. Some buildings of Uttarparshwa Mutt, Emar Mutt and Punjabi Mutt were razed for the road project. Moreover, the administration had evicted several wholesalers and retailers of nearby Laxmibazar for laying the path.
Sources said the administration had spent around Rs 30 crore for acquiring land and constructing the circular road. However, it has grossly failed to keep the newly-constructed path free from vendors and vehicles.
Several vendors, vegetable sellers and evicted retailers of Laxmibazar have illegally opened stalls on the road. Moreover, many people are using the tiled path as a parking lot for cycles and two-wheelers. Besides, the free movement of stray cattle on the path has virtually prevented the devotees from going around the temple.
Very recently, authorities concerned have dug a few trenches along the path to facilitate laying of water supply and sewerage pipes. The tiled road has been damaged at several places due to substandard construction work.
Sources said the administration had planned to decorate the path and declare it as a heritage walk under the HRIDAY scheme of the Central government. However, the project is yet to be taken up.
“The administration had spent Rs 30 crore to lay a path around the shrine. But, the project has failed to achieve its objectives,” claimed a social activist.
When contacted, Works department senior official Niroj Das said they are trying to keep the road free from unwanted elements.
PNN
