Sambalpur: Samlei Scheme, Evacuation of worshipers’ houses continues

Sambalpur: For the ‘Samlei’ scheme, the Buildings are being broken around the temple of Goddess Maa Samaleshwari. In this series, the demolition of residential buildings, where worshipers live, is continuing. Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation Ltd. (OBCC), the implementing agency, said that all the constructions up to the main gate will be demolished when they reach the front of the temple on Monday.

At this place, some space will be reserved for the crowd with a queuing system. Apart from this, there are also plans to make hand and foot washing facilities and altar mandap. The footpath will also be paved with special tiles. Today, during the demolition of the empty house of the worshiper and the shop in front of it, Sadar Upazilapal Prabhas Dansena, and Aditya Panda, officials were present. A police force has been deployed there to maintain law and order.

On the other hand, 6 worshipers were paid their dues today. It is worth noting that more than 14 worshipers lived here. At the time of registration of the said place by the former department, their residence was assessed and paid according to the government rules. Apart from this, it has been decided to pay 20 lakh rupees to each worshipper’s family, 1 lakh rupees for transportation and other expenses, and 1 lakh 44 thousand rupees as annual house rent. This money is being disbursed in two phases. 50 percent is paid at the time of leaving the house, while the remaining 50 percent will be paid when the roof of the house is constructed.

Today, in the presence of Sadar Upazilapal, 6 worshipers were given cheques for the first phase of the sum. While the area covered by the ‘Samlei’ scheme is being vacated by the district administration and OBCC, the construction work is going on in full swing by the Chennai-based contractor URC Construction Pvt. Ltd. It is worth noting that there is a government directive to complete the first phase of work by December.