As part of the Heritage Corridor project around the 12th-century Jagannath Temple, excavation by contractor OBCC allegedly destroyed archaeological remains and caused cracks in the Nata Mandap shrine, per a 70-page ASI affidavit in the Orissa High Court; ASI also found the project proceeded without valid National Monuments Authority permission.
On record
The official record states: "ASI's affidavit stated removal of "stratified deposits of about 15 to 20 ft" "caused irreparable damage"; OBCC's own MD acknowledged deviations from approved designs."
Filed as "Under legal dispute; construction proceeded despite unresolved damage allegations" and dated to 2022 (ASI findings reported), this entry sits under the "Not specified" line of the public accounts.
What to expect
- A ribbon-cutting photograph that aged faster than the structure.
- Maintenance records that exist in principle.
- A budget line that grew with the confidence of the project itself.
- A file number that outlived several transfer postings.
Sourcing
1 public source — news reports, RTI replies and civic archives — corroborate this entry. The citation trail is listed below for anyone who would like to follow up with the department concerned.
“Every monsoon it files a fresh application to be rebuilt.”— Blunderlust Editorial Desk
Sources
Visitor reviews
“Walked the full length of it out of sheer stubbornness. The foundation stone has outlasted two governments.”
“Came back a third time hoping the last visit was a fluke. It relieves congestion the way a second problem relieves the first.”
“Visited on the recommendation of someone who was clearly joking. The site meeting quorum must exceed the site workforce.”