Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to revise and fast-track the ambitious Ekamra Kshetra Amenities and Monuments Revival Action (Ekamra) project by adopting a component-wise execution strategy, following the foreclosure of the original ₹280-crore contract by the Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation Limited (OBCC).
The move comes after OBCC foreclosed the contract citing prolonged delays in the handing over of required land and repeated modifications in the project scope. Conceived as a flagship heritage conservation and urban renewal initiative, the Ekamra project aims to preserve the cultural identity of the historic Lingaraj Temple precinct while creating modern amenities for devotees and visitors.
Originally planned over 46 acres around the 11th-century Lingaraj Temple, the project faced hurdles as nearly 15 acres of the proposed land belonged to private owners. Although work commenced in 2023, progress remained sluggish and eventually stalled due to unresolved land acquisition issues and design changes.
To prevent further delays, the state government has now instructed OBCC to proceed with component-wise execution of the project using the land already in possession. Officials have clarified that all works will be undertaken strictly in compliance with the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the National Monuments Authority (NMA), ensuring that heritage norms are fully adhered to.
Simultaneously, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the district administration have been directed to expedite the acquisition of the remaining land parcels to facilitate the seamless execution of subsequent project components.
The revised approach is expected to accelerate on-ground implementation, balance heritage conservation with infrastructure development, and ensure that long-pending amenities around one of Odisha’s most revered temples are delivered without compromising regulatory and cultural safeguards.
-OdishaAge
