In a damning observation, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) informed the Orissa High Court that there was every possibility of the ongoing excavation near 12th century Jagannath Temple in Puri causing destruction of archaeological remains at the heritage site.
The Orissa HC had directed the ASI to submit a report while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) on construction activities going on within the prohibited area of the temple as part of the ₹800 crore Shree Mandir Parikrama Project
The Naveen Patnaik government had come under severe criticism for undertaking new construction without seeking the ASI’s permission beforehand, which is mandatory under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958.
