Rourkela: Absence of necessary legal approval is causing inordinate delay in the restoration of various temples at Rourkela’s Vedavyas shrine, though several peripheral works have been completed.
According to sources, the delay is on account of the lack of permission under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE) Act, 1951 — necessary for the demolition of the old temples. Without approval, the main reconstruction activities have been stalled and getting delayed, sources added.
The Roads and Buildings (R&B) department had sanctioned Rs 14.15 crore for the development of Vedavyas shrine in the 2024-25 financial year. Construction was initially scheduled to be completed by February 24, 2025. However, even after 14 months, progress has been limited to the construction of stalls, kirtan, prayer and fire altar halls, and an idol of lord Shiva at the main Vedavyas intersection, along with a small worship pavilion. The core task of demolishing the existing temples is yet to begin.
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Officials said that although the necessary applications for legal permission have been submitted, the approval process is still pending. Before undertaking the demolition of the temples, the responsibility of safeguarding all the wealth and assets within the temple will rest with Vedavyas Trust Chairman and Sundargarh District Collector Manoj Mahananda, as well as Vice Chairman and Rourkela Additional District Magistrate Ashutosh Kulkarni, officials said.
The Vedavyas shrine is home to a Mahadev temple along with several other temples dedicated to various deities. Concerns have also been raised over ensuring no damage to the ‘Shivling’, and idols of various deities, before any demolition takes place.
When contacted, Alok Kumar Nayak, regional head of Rourkela Roads and Buildings (R&B) department, said that significant work such as beautification projects, construction of a ‘mandap’, and installation of stalls has been completed to develop Vedavyas shrine into a religious tourism destination.
“However, the legal approval required for the reconstruction of various temples at Vedavyas has not yet been obtained,” he said. He, however, hoped that the necessary approval is expected within the next seven months, after which construction work would be completed.
PNN
