In anticipation of the upcoming inauguration of the Rs 2,700 crore Jagannath Heritage Corridor project on January 17, the Odisha government has launched a series of infrastructure developments in Puri. Notable among these is the construction of ‘Shree Setu,’ a 2.8-kilometre bypass route. This bypass, originating from Bhubaneswar and Brahmagiri, leads directly to a multi-level parking area in the city, potentially cutting travel time for visitors by an hour by avoiding city traffic.
The Shree Setu, distinguished as India’s first trumpet bridge, spans across four lanes and occupies 37 acres. Furthermore, to accommodate the increasing number of devotees at the famous Puri temple, the surrounding area has undergone redevelopment. This includes the creation of a 1.5-kilometre ‘Shrimandir Parikrama’ pathway encircling the temple, enhancing access for worshippers, as stated by officials.
In a chat with media, the Puri Collector and District Magistrate, Samarth Verma, said that the average number of devotees coming to the Jagannath temple after the COVID-19 pandemic has increased. “On usual days it is one to two lakh and it goes up to 10 lakh during festivals,” he said, adding that the Shree Setu has been built to address the crowd which is expected to land in the city.
The foundation for these initiatives is rooted in the recommendations of the state-appointed Commission of Inquiry. In 2019, this committee delivered a report centered on improving the management and governance of the Shree Jagannath temple. Their focus extended to issues concerning the temple's endowments, encompassing aspects of security and safety, according to officials.