ABADHA Scheme (Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture Scheme)

Contents
  1. Overview
  2. Objective
  3. Features of the scheme
  4. Budget for ABADHA Scheme
  5. Official Website
  6. Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

The state government of Odisha has planned to develop the infrastructure of the Lord Jagannath Temple at Puri. The temple is one of the tourist attractions. It is a temple for Lord Jagannath, another form of Lord Vishnu. Under the ABADHA or Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture scheme, the government will develop the temple.

The chief minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik announced transforming the entire city of Puri into an outstanding heritage city. After the state was hit with cyclone Fani, he sanctioned twelve projects under the ABADHA scheme to develop the entire town. The twelve projects will cost around INR 2308 crores. Along with these projects, the Odisha government also sanctioned some other projects with a total of INR 900 crore and INR 3208 crore, which will be used in the next three years. 

Objective

The primary objective of the scheme is to cultivate the Jagannath Temple of Puri to world-famous heritage city. The developments for the temple include giving overall better facilities, improvement in infrastructure, charges for land acquisition, rehabilitation of the whole space, developing the roads, etc. will be done. The scheme was launched in 2017 during the 2017-18 budgets. 

The plan is to develop Puri of Odisha as a world-class heritage city. The number of pilgrims going to Puri is expected to increase. The state aims to provide better and affordable facilities for pilgrims and tourists. The temple needs to be protected from all possible dangers. Plus, ensuring the safety and security of the pilgrims is also a top priority.

 This project will be implemented in three years. Out of the allocated INR 3,208 crore, INR 719 crore will be spent in 2019-20, INR 1402 crore in 2020-21, and INR 1087 crore for the financial year 2021-2022.

Features of the scheme

  • Under the Abadha scheme, the Puri Jagannath temple will be re-developed and turned into a world heritage site.
  • The total budget of the project can go up to INR 2308 crores for the overall development.
  • The development includes better facilities, improved infrastructure, charges for land acquisition, rehabilitation of the whole space, and construction of the roads.
  • The chief minister of Odisha also approved specific other schemes such as Puri lake development project, up-gradation of Raghunandan library, Matha development initiatives, Musa river revival plan, Jagannath ballad pilgrim centre, acharya Harihar square development, atharnala heritage development, housing projects, Shree setu plans, etc. The total cost for these projects will be around INR 2308 crores.
  • There will also be constructed for restrooms for Habishalis.
  • The state government has also decided to build better quality roads in Puri at various locations.
  • The government might make a stadium in the city as well.
  • Cabinet committee also decided to approve the proposal of altering the Hindu Religious Endowments Act of Odisha, through keeping out the Govardhan Math of Puri from the purview of the management of the math.
  • There are newly added projects such as a 1.5 km long link road attached to the Sri Setu Project's trumpet bridge.
  • Reconstruction of Jagannath Ballad Monastery with multi-level car parking will be done with the budget if INR 180 crore.
  • The whole ambiance will be turned into an attractive pilgrimage centre with meditation space and multi-modal hub facilities.
  • It also includes the Musa River's rejuvenation and the plan to connect the Mangala River at the cost of Rs 85 crore. There will be the development of Atharnala as an iconic pedestrian heritage bridge with the support of the Archaeological Survey of India or ASI and development of a lake on 28 acres of land with the budget of INR 35.    

Budget for ABADHA Scheme

The government of Odisha has planned to use around INR 3208 crores for the Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture scheme for the next three years. The sole purpose is to transform the city into a world-class heritage city. The chief minister sanctioned the whole budget. The expenditure layout for the projects is:

  • For the year 2019 to 2020, INR 719 crore will be given for the projects.
  • For the year 2020 to 2021, INR 1402 crores will be provided for the plans.
  • For the year 2021 to 2022, INR 1087 crores will be given for the scheme.

The package announced by the Chief Minister focused on modernization schemes including infrastructure development, multi-lane roads, bridges, multi-level parking, and facilities for pilgrims, the revival of Moses River, rehabilitation of those evacuated from the security zone and Renovations are included. The Chief Minister had recently announced various projects worth Rs 265 crores for Puri under the Infrastructure and Development of Architecture and Architecture scheme. 

Official Website

You can access the official website here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the ABADHA scheme?

The government will develop the temple by the ABADHA or Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture scheme. The state government of Odisha has planned to create the infrastructure of the Lord Jagannath Temple at Puri. The temple is one of the tourist attractions. It is a temple for Lord Jagannath, another form of Lord Vishnu. 

Q. What is the objective of the scheme?

The primary objective of the scheme is to cultivate the Jagannath Temple of Puri to world-famous heritage city. The developments for the temple includes giving overall better facilities, improvement in infrastructure, charges for land acquisition, rehabilitation of the whole space, developing the roads, etc

Q. Who launched this scheme?

The chief minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik announced to transform the entire city of Puri into an outstanding heritage city. After the state was hit with cyclone Fani, he sanctioned twelve projects under the ABADHA scheme for the development of the entire city.

Q. What is the budget for the scheme?

The total budget is around INR 2308 crores. Along with these projects, the Odisha government also sanctioned some other projects with a total of INR 900 crore and INR 3208 crore, which will be used in the next three years. 

Q. What is the budget structure for the scheme?

This project will be implemented in three years. Out of the allocated INR 3,208 crore, INR 719 crore will be spent in 2019-20, INR 1402 crore in 2020-21, and INR 1087 crore for the financial year 2021-2022.

Q. Are there any provisions for the pilgrims?

The number of pilgrims going to Puri is expected to increase. The state aims to provide better and affordable facilities for pilgrims and tourists. The temple needs to be protected from all possible dangers. Plus, ensuring the safety and security of the pilgrims is also a top priority.

 Q. What are the other plans under the scheme?

The chief minister of Odisha also approved specific other schemes such as Puri lake development project, up-gradation of Raghunandan library, Matha development initiatives, Musa river revival plan, Jagannath ballad pilgrim centre, acharya Harihar square development, atharnala heritage development, housing projects, Shree setu plans, etc. The total cost for these projects will be around INR 2308 crores.