Puri, Jan 14: In view of convenient rehabilitation of as many as 62 charioteers’ families, the Puri district admin and the Shri Jagannath Temple administration (SJTA) have made elaborate provision for their accommodation.
As a part of Shri Mandir Parikrama Project, each major member of the Bhoi Servitors has been allotted a spacious accommodation behind the boulevard area near the Jagannath Temple.
Many Servitors as well as residents of the Puri town had shared their land for the development of the Srimandir Parikrama and associated development projects. In this connection, some Rath Bhoi servitors had lost their ancestral homes for the Jagannath Boulevard Parking place, developed under the 5T initiative.
At least 40 acres of land was acquired in four villages of Puri for Jagannath Boulevard parking and Sree Setu project. Among others, as many as 62 Rath Voi servitors had lost their land for the project. As a rehabilitation and resettlement package to the affected families, the state government not only resettled them but also provided them with financial support for building their happy homes. They were given homestead lands on the back side of Jagannath Boulevard.
Following the approval of the CM and Chairman 5T, a plot measuring (27x20) feet has been allotted to each member of their family aged 18 years and above. Rs 3.70 lakh were also paid to each child of the family to build a house. Apart from this, the amount they spent on building their old house has also been provided.
Ahead of the inauguration of Jagannath Temple Heritage Corridor scheduled on January 17, the displaced families have been allowed to stay in the house built for the museum on Jagannath Boulevard. Many charioteers have been living there for a long time.
Houses are under construction on the acquired land. Many families have completed construction of their houses and are living there while construction of many houses has reached the final stage.
