Puri, Aug 24: In a landmark announcement at the IATO Utsav in Puri, Odisha’s Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan unveiled a series of transformative infrastructure projects aimed at elevating Puri’s status as a global spiritual and tourism hub.

Among the key highlights is the expansion of the Puri–Bhubaneswar National Highway from 4 lanes to 8 lanes, promising smoother and faster connectivity between the state capital and the temple town. Additionally, the Puri–Satapada and Pipili–Konark routes will be upgraded to 4-lane highways, enhancing access to coastal and heritage destinations.

To further boost tourism, the minister announced that hotels with 20 or more rooms will be permitted to operate open bars, aligning with global hospitality standards and encouraging longer tourist stays.

Harichandan emphasized the importance of streamlining darshan at the Jagannath Temple, ensuring a disciplined and comfortable experience for devotees. He assured that the administration is actively working on crowd management, infrastructure upgrades, and ancillary services to support the growing footfall.

“Puri is not just Odisha’s pride — it’s a global spiritual magnet. We are committed to connecting it seamlessly via air, rail, and road from every corner of the country,” Harichandan said.

The announcements are part of a broader vision to transform Puri into a world-class religious tourism destination by 2036, with enhanced civic amenities, cultural attractions, and sustainable development.

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