Puri: Removal Of Shree Jagannath Temple's Focus Lights After Odisha Election Result Prompts Probe

Odisha: After the removal of lights from Shree Jagannath temple beautification project, devotees and locals raised concerns. Chief Secretary P K Jena orders the Puri Collector to inquire and take action against those responsible.

Odisha Chief Secretary P K Jena has directed the Puri district administration to investigate the reported removal of focus lights used for the Shree Jagannath temple beautification project, an official stated on Saturday. The issue was brought to light by devotees and locals after discovering that the lights installed near the revered 12th-century shrine in Puri had vanished.

The lights were reportedly removed on the evening of the election results counting, coinciding with the defeat of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the polls, news agency PTI reported. Chief Secretary Jena has instructed Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain to conduct a thorough inquiry into the discontinuation of the lighting arrangement. He has also demanded appropriate action against those responsible for this lapse.

"I have instructed Collector Puri @dm_puri to cause an enquiry into this matter and take appropriate action against the persons involved. Further efforts to be made to restore lights at the earliest pending permanent solution to the problem if any at govt level," tweeted Jena.

Event Management Company Removed Lights Without Informing District Administration: Puri Collector

Odisha TV reported sources as saying that the lights were installed temporarily by an event company that had installed them on a rental basis.

Efforts are underway to restore the lights as soon as possible, pending a permanent solution at the government level. "We are taking appropriate steps. The event management company has removed the lights without informing the district administration," said Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain, confirming his receipt of the chief secretary’s instructions, as quoted by PTI.

Local residents have expressed significant dissatisfaction after the lights, which were intended to illuminate the Jagannath Temple, were switched off for the past 2-3 days. Reports indicate that some lights were also taken away from the heritage corridor, leaving the temple area in darkness.