New Delhi, October 3: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Odisha government to consult with Shankaracharya and other priests before carrying out a demolition drive to remove unauthorised structures in the Shree Jagannath Temple area. The Puri district administration in August had launched the demolition drive around the boundary wall of the Shree Jagannath Temple. There have been protests against the Odisha government's move. Package Announced for People Affected by Eviction Drive Around Puri Temple.

The demolition drive is a part of the state government's plan to develop a 'Heritage Security Zone' around the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The government has sanctioned Rs 40 crore for land acquisition and to remove all the structures within the 75-metre radius of the temple to ensure safety and security of the 12th-century shrine. A petition was filed against the Odisha government's move.

However, a three-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra dismissed the interlocutory application, filed by Arvindalochanan and a petition filed by Inter-Continental Association of Lawyers saying that there is no merit in the case.

Several organisations had opposed the demolition drive, saying that at least 12 major mutts and shrines associated with the Shree Jagannath Temple are located within 75 metres of the boundary wall. Besides private properties, government installations such as a power supply office, a temple information centre and a police outpost are located within 75 metres of the temple.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has approved three redevelopment projects in Puri including a project worth Rs 25 crore for the reconstruction of Raghunandan library, housing project worth Rs 95 crore for rehabilitation of the displaced people from security zone of Jagannath Temple and a project to construct the 'Heritage Security Zone'.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 03, 2019 12:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).