The Odisha government has approved an additional Rs 100.83 crore for infrastructure projects in Puri under the Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA) scheme, raising the total project cost for the current financial year to Rs 658.03 crore.
The enhanced allocation will support ongoing work at the Jagannath Ballav Pilgrim Centre, its market complex, Shree Setu and the Musa river expansion project, officials said. The projects had earlier been sanctioned at a combined cost of Rs 557.19 crore.
According to the chief minister’s office, the project estimates were revised because of additional works and other requirements linked to implementation. The revised funding was approved by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
“The state govt would spare no effort in developing Puri, the abode of Lord Jagannath. Whatever funds are required for development of Mahaprabhu’s dham will be provided. There will be no shortage of resources for this purpose,” Majhi said.
A major addition to the revised plan is a 2,000-seat multipurpose hall on the fifth floor of the Jagannath Ballav Pilgrim Centre. The facility is intended to expand amenities available to pilgrims and visitors. Officials said the additional funds would also cover other emerging requirements associated with the projects.
The funding decision places the Jagannath Ballav Pilgrim Centre and connected facilities within a broader programme of investment in Puri’s visitor and civic infrastructure. The ABADHA scheme was launched in 2017-18 to develop Puri as a heritage and pilgrimage destination through investments in basic amenities, heritage conservation, tourism facilities and urban renewal.
The state cabinet had approved an overall ABADHA outlay of Rs 4,224.22 crore, with the scheme’s implementation period set from 2017-18 to 2024-25. Projects taken up under the programme include the Shree Jagannath Parikrama Marg, Shree Setu, Musa river rejuvenation, housing projects, Puri lake development, redevelopment of Acharya Harihar Square, the Atharnala heritage project and the upgrade of Raghunandan Library.
The scheme also covers the development of heritage water bodies and the conservation of religious institutions and mutts. The latest approval increases the current financial year’s allocation for the identified projects but does not provide a revised completion schedule in the information released by the authorities.
The next stage will involve using the additional allocation for the multipurpose hall, ongoing project works and other requirements identified during implementation, according to officials.
