Odisha Charts New Roadmap for Puri’s Transformation into Global Heritage City

Bhubaneswar: Puri, the sacred home of Lord Jagannath and one of India’s most revered pilgrimage destinations, is set for a major transformation to position it as a world-class heritage city. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and Law, Works, and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of ongoing projects and chalk out future strategies.

Deputy CM Parida said Puri is not only a spiritual hub but also a cultural landmark for millions of devotees worldwide. She emphasized the importance of collective effort from both government and citizens to enhance the city’s vibrancy and ensure that projects are completed on time.

Minister Harichandan noted that while challenges are natural in large-scale development work, proper planning and determination can help overcome them. He urged officials to adopt meticulous execution strategies to meet deadlines without compromising quality.

Among the key projects under review were the beautification of the Shree Gundicha Temple, the upgradation of Pramod Udyan, land acquisition for Shree Mandir Adarsh Gurukulam, the Sevayat Housing Project, and the construction of a Raghunandan Library and Jagannath Research Centre. Plans to establish a Bhakta Niwas for pilgrims and conserve heritage sites such as Atharnala were also discussed.

The state government has stressed the inclusion of Odisha’s traditional architectural styles in new infrastructure, the removal of unsafe structures near the Jagannath Temple, and adherence to heritage authority guidelines.

Senior officials, including the Puri District Collector and Shree Jagannath Temple Chief Administrator, attended the meeting, underscoring the government’s commitment to balancing development with cultural preservation.