Puri: In a major step to ensure the seamless execution of the upcoming annual Ratha Jatra and the timely completion of various temple developmental projects, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, the Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration, held a high-level review meeting with senior officials of the shrine.
Expressing satisfaction over the progress of chariot wood collection and the traditional construction of the grand chariots, the Chief Administrator issued specific directives to expedite allied works. He instructed officials to quickly process the palm timber reaching the sawmills and maintain an additional backup set of Chara Mala for the chariots. Furthermore, departmental engineers were ordered to accelerate the ongoing construction of the Phula Guntha Gruha inside the Koili Baikuntha premises and complete it at the earliest.
Land protection and legal monitoring also took center stage during the administrative review. Dr. Padhee lauded the recent successful anti-encroachment drive that reclaimed valuable temple lands in the Koradakanta area of Bhubaneswar. He urged officials to initiate similar proactive measures to free other encroached properties belonging to Lord Jagannatha and bring them back under temple administration. To streamline ongoing legal battles, he directed the legal team to update the comprehensive list of temple-related cases pending across various courts.
The review also included on-field inspections, with the Chief Administrator visiting the Shree Gundicha Temple and the designated site for sevayat housing in Harachandi Sahi. With the Rath Jatra knocking at the door, Dr. Padhee set a strict deadline, ordering departmental engineers to finish all ongoing construction and renovation works at the Shree Gundicha Temple by June 20 to ensure everything is ready for the arrival of the deities.