Puri: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was quite happy with the land identified by the Odisha Government for construction of Bengal Niwas or a building for accommodation of tourists and devotees visiting Shree Jagannath Dham Puri.
Mamata made a field visit to the proposed land in Sipasarubali near the site earmarked for the Puri International Airport. Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena and Puri Collector Samarth Verma showed the land to the West Bengal CM.
“I have seen the land identified for Bengal Niwas. I liked the land. New airport is also coming here and a bridge will also be constructed here. So, it will be one of the best locations,” the Chief Minister told reporters at the site.
A large number of tourists from West Bengal are visiting Puri at least five times a year. Sometimes, like Rath Yatra and long holiday periods, they are unable to get proper accommodation here. So, it will help them, she said.
There is a need for construction of more hotels, shops and other public infrastructures in Puri, Mamata said.
Asked about the timeframe to construct the Bengal Niwas, she said, “As per the availability of land, building plan and architecture, the building will be constructed. As soon as the required process completes, we will lay the foundation for New Puri.”
When asked about the agenda behind her meeting with CM Naveen Patnaik, she said, “I have met Naveen Ji earlier too. During the Hockey World Cup, I was invited. At that time, I had told the Minister that I will meet the CM whenever I visit Odisha.”
“So, it is a courtesy meet and we will discuss developmental issues and about the West Bengal Niwas,” she informed.
Chief Secretary Shri Jena said, “The West Bengal CM had requested the Odisha govt to provide land for construction of a Niwas for West Bengal devotees and tourists in Puri. We have identified a parcel of land for construction of Bhawans by different States. We have shown her the land.”
The details about land to be allocated will be decided during the meeting between the two Chief Ministers tomorrow, he said.
After making the site visit, Mamata visited Jagannath Temple and offered prayers to deities. She was also scheduled to witness the fashioning of the flag on 214 feet high ‘Nilachakra’ and then offer prayers to goddess Vimala, Mahalaxmi and other deities on the shrine premises.
The CM said she has prayed for the welfare of the people of West Bengal, Odisha and all.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Bengal CM is an ardent devotee of Lord Jagannath and had visited the Puri temple in 2017.
Hours before the 2021 West Bengal poll schedules were announced by the Election Commission of India, a group of priests from the 12th-century shrine in Puri had performed a yagna at Mamata’s residence in Kolkata.
A massive Shree Jagannath Temple is being erected at Digha, which will provide a new attraction for the sea side tourist center of West Bengal on the borders of Odisha.