Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed infrastructure and tourism projects in Puri and instructed officials to accelerate their implementation. He directed departments to balance development with heritage conservation and the rehabilitation of local street vendors.

At a high-level meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan, Majhi said Puri’s development should address the needs of residents, temple servitors, traders and vendors. The review covered arrangements for the evening aarti and the smooth conduct of Lord Jagannath’s traditional Sagar Bije ritual.

Officials were asked to expedite the proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport, the reconstruction of Raghunandan Library and the Shree Jagannath Interpretation Centre. The meeting also considered a new kitchen for preparing Mahaprasad, the comprehensive development of Gundicha temple and an amusement park aimed at attracting tourists.

Majhi directed the immediate relocation of vendors removed from the Grand Road near the Shree Jagannath temple to a designated site near Shri Setu. Officials also reviewed the reconstruction of a heritage bridge near Atharanala, redevelopment of Annapurna Theatre, the beautification of Puri beach and improvements to the Swargadwar cremation ground.

The government plans to advance the beautification of Gopaljew temple at Sakhigopal, Satalahadi Math associated with saint-poet Atibadi Jagannath Das and Maa Mangala temple at Kakatpur, along with road connectivity to these sites. Restoration of Satyabadi’s historic Bana Vidyalaya on traditional gurukul lines and development of Bakula Bana were also discussed.

The review further covered road widening between Puri and Brahmagiri, Konark and Bhubaneswar, as well as works involving Shri Jagannath Medical College, Blue Flag Beach, Astaranga port and the Konark Sun Temple. Majhi asked departmental secretaries, the Puri collector and the superintendent of police to monitor progress on the ground and complete projects within stipulated deadlines. He said delays, negligence and implementation irregularities would not be tolerated.