Bhubaneswar:Odisha government has announced a ban on the sale of meat and liquor within a 2-kilometre radius of the revered Shri Jagannath Temple. The move is part of a larger plan to transform the holy city into a dedicated pilgrimage destination with a culturally cohesive identity.
Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, while addressing the media on Sunday, stated that the prohibition will be formally incorporated into the state’s upcoming excise policy.
“A ban will be enforced on the sale of meat and liquor within a 2 km radius of the Jagannath Temple,” the minister said, underlining the government’s commitment to upholding the sacred atmosphere of the temple town.
Beyond the excise reforms, the government has initiated broader efforts to redesign Puri’s urban landscape. The minister revealed that buildings along the Bada Danda (Grand Road)—which leads to the temple—will soon follow a unified architectural code in terms of façade and height.
“We aim to ensure that all structures on the Grand Road adopt a consistent look that reflects the city’s spiritual and cultural heritage,” said Harichandan, noting that preliminary work has already begun on this front.
He clarified that the implementation will be carried out in phases, taking into account the presence of privately owned properties along the stretch. However, the broader goal remains to present a cohesive and aesthetically aligned image of the city.
“We are moving ahead with a vision to redesign Puri as a spiritual and heritage city, aligning with its religious significance,” the minister said, adding that policy and planning will go hand in hand with tradition to ensure the sanctity of the temple town is preserved even amid modernisation.
