Odisha government may have been pushing forward the ambitious Jagannath Heritage Corridor Project, but it is mum on the impact the ongoing works will have on the structural stability of the Shri Jagannath temple. If sources are to be believed, the much-hyped project is being executed without even generating an impact assessment report, which is a pre-requisite for ancient and religiously critical monuments.
Shree Jagannath temple is the holiest of holy shrines of Hindus. This Grand Edifice is the highest temple in Odisha and probably, the tallest living temple in India. This splendid temple dedicated to Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath was built by king Chodaganga Dev (1112-1148 AD) in Shreekshetra Puri on the east coast of India.
The huge temple complex covers an area of over 400,000 square feet and is surrounded by a high fortified wall of 20 feet known as Meghanada Pacheri. It contains at least 120 temples and shrines. With its sculptural richness and fluidity of the Odia style of temple architecture, it is one of the most magnificent monuments of India.
Among the existing temples in Odisha, the temple of Shri Jagannath is the highest. The temple tower was built on a raised platform of stone and, rising to 214 feet above the inner sanctum where the deities reside, dominates the surrounding landscape. The pyramidal roofs of the surrounding temples and adjoining halls, or Mandapas, rise in steps toward the tower like a ridge of mountain peaks.
Now this glorious heritage temple is under threat. Read below to know how the ongoing Shri Mandir Heritage Project is posing a serious threat to the structure of the temple?
Shree Jagannath Heritage Corridor Project was unveiled in December 2019. Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has approved the architectural design plan of the project at an estimated cost of Rs 3,200 crore.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone for the historical project on November 24, 2021. A tender of Rs 331.28 crore has been sanctioned for the project, and Tata Projects is carrying out the construction works under Odisha Bridge Construction Corporation (OBCC).
The construction company engaged for works near the Srimandir generally is involved in constructing bridges, erecting buildings, etc. They don’t have expertise and experience in heritage conservation related works. JCB machines are being used to dig up the area within the Centrally-protected shrine's prohibited zone (100 mt) to set up public amenities. Work is being carried out beyond 7 metres from the Meghnad Prachir, which is the buffer zone of the temple.
This has raised concern among Odisha people who apprehend that vibrations may impact the structural stability of the monument. As the Puri town is situated on the seashore, so the geological structure of the Puri town is of sands type soils. Digging in such close proximity should have been preceded by a proper assessment which both the Central agencies, ASI and NMA, claim to have no knowledge about. With each passing day, the issue of the alleged breach in rules during construction of the Puri Srimandir Heritage Corridor continues to gather more steam of resentment among the servitors and public representatives.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has sought replies from the Odisha Bridge Construction Corporation (OBCC) over the ongoing works for the heritage corridor near the Jagannath Temple on March 10 2022. The letter of the ASI came over alleged violation of laws by the Tata Company under the OBCC’s guidance.
In February, ASI had already sent a show-cause notice to the OBCC and district administration for working within the 100-meter restricted zone of the shrine. ASI Odisha head Arun Mallick said the construction is strictly prohibited within 100-meter with the next 200-meter-radius of the temple, allowing only regulated works for the sake of public amenities. But the Heritage Corridor Project is being implemented within a 75-metre radius of the Meghanada Pacheri (wall) of the temple.
As per the AMASR Act 1958 and the Verification of Ancient Monuments Amendment Act of 2010, no new construction is permitted within the protected area of 100 meters except for repair and renovation works of existing structures. Further, construction works beyond 100 meters are permitted within 200 meters with proper permission from the competent authority of NMA and after obtaining NOC for the same. Sri Jagannath temple at Puri is one of the 80 centrally protected monuments that come under the purview of ASI.
According to reports, Puri District Collector Samarth Verma had clarified on March 7 that the construction work is being done with the prior approval of the National Monuments Authority (NMA) and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The statement came at a time when questions were raised on construction activities within 100 meters of the Shrimandir and prior approval of ASI and NMA for the same. Meanwhile, Arun Mallick, Superintendent of ASI, Odisha, clarified that the archaeological body has not issued any NOC for construction within 100 meters of the Srimandir. Different religious and social organizations have demanded that the detailed project model or design of the heritage corridor and its execution, apart from the possible risks posed by it, should be made public at once. Neither the NMA (National Monument Authority) nor the general public has a detailed design about the amenities to be developed under the project.
The rules of the NMA says that no construction works can be carried out within 100 meters of any preserved monument of national importance, but the State government is carrying out varied construction works within 75 meters of Srimandir without any permission from the Archaeological Survey Of India (ASI) and NMA.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the archaeological research and protection of the nation's cultural heritage. Maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites, and remains of national importance is the prime concern of the ASI. Besides, it regulates all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. It also regulates Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.
The controversy surrounding the ongoing work of the heritage corridor project around Puri Jagannath Temple is being escalated further from day to day. It is now a serious concern over the execution of digging activities as deep as 20 feet at places close to Shree Mandir by using heavy machinery. Experts and devotees are in fear that such deep digging just close to the temple will pose a serious threat to the 12th-century shrine and the Meghanad Prachira (outer wall). Even holes as deep as 15 to 20 ft are being dug up at several places within a 50-metre radius of Meghanad Prachira using earth-moving machines and excavators.
What is the need for digging such deep holes? There is not an iota of doubt that such digging activities will pose a threat to the safety of Jagannath temple and the boundary wall?
On the other hand, resentment over the construction work continues among local people and organizations as they suspect that the excavation work near Srimandir is posing a threat to the 12th-century temple. As per records available, since 1842, stones have fallen off the temple 14 times. So Temple is not out of danger at all. If such heavy digging activities are being done close to the temple, then we are only inviting more threats to its foundation, experts say.
Odisha government may have been pushing forward the ambitious Jagannath Heritage Corridor Project, but it is mum on the impact the ongoing works will have on the structural stability of the Shri Jagannath temple. If sources are to be believed, the much-hyped project is being executed without even generating an impact assessment report, which is a pre-requisite for ancient and religiously critical monuments.
Currently, digging of the earth using JCB machines is underway near the western gate and southeastern corner of the temple. The Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation (OBCC) under the Works department have not yet submitted Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and heritage impact assessment reports to ASI, which is the custodian of the temple. ASI Odisha head Arun Malik said his office is yet to get the heritage impact assessment report for the Parikrama Project from the State government. According to NMA norms, heritage impact assessment is mandatory before taking up development works for any monument of archaeological importance.
(The writer is a Senior Journalist based at Odisha. He tweets at @BiswalAnil)
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