OdishaPlus Bureau
With the massive improvement being taken up in Shree Jagannath Temple and around world heritage city Puri, the State Government has decided to reserve six Khondalite stone mines in favor of Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC).
The State Government has taken up beautification of the Shree Jagannath Temple under the “Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture”(ABADHA) scheme.
ABADHA will be implemented at a cost of Rs.3500 crore in Puri and looking at the huge requirement of Khondalite stones, Department of Steel & Mines has decided to reserve six quarries in Khurda, Cuttack and Jajpur districts.
Among the reserved blocks, Kurumpada decorative stone block containing magnetized Khondalite and Kundakundi Kunda stone block of Narangarh are in Khurda district are on over five-hectare land.
The biggest Khondalite stone block of Sukhuapara, on an area of 78.3 hectares of Khondalite stones are in Jajpur district while Khondalite blocks of Chandia, Teligarh, Gobindpur — a total of 31.5 hectare-are also in Jajpur district. The Khondalite stone block of Gobindpur in Cuttack district, on 20.3 hectares, is also being reserved for OMC.
OMC will extract Khondalite stones to be used by the Department of Works and other agencies designated for taking up the projects. Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Department of Works and Odisha Mining Corporation will chalk out the modalities for the supply of Khondalite stones.
Any Mineral not required by the Department of Works or other designated agencies will be disposed of by the OMC.
All the district collectors have been informed in this regard, so as to coordinate with the Mining officials to avoid any delay in mining operations as ABADHA is on the top priority list of the State Government.