Jajpur, July 1 (UDN): The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has suspended the construction of a proposed road and Buddha Park near the protected Udayagiri Buddhist Complex in Odisha’s Jajpur district, triggering a debate between heritage conservation and local development.
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The stop-work notice was issued after the ASI raised objections to excavation and construction activities reportedly being carried out near the protected monument without its approval. The agency is examining whether the project falls within the prohibited or regulated zone under heritage conservation laws.
The tourism infrastructure project, located near Gopalpur Chhak at the entrance to the Udayagiri complex, was intended to improve access and visitor amenities. However, the ASI’s intervention has put the work on hold pending further scrutiny.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions from local stakeholders. Members of the Udayagiri Mahotsav Committee welcomed the move, arguing that any construction near the ancient Buddhist site should strictly comply with heritage protection norms. They alleged that the proposed Buddha Park could adversely affect the archaeological landscape and called for greater transparency in the execution of the project.
Residents of nearby villages, however, urged the authorities to allow the road work to continue, saying it would provide safer and easier access to a nearby temple frequented by devotees. They maintained that the project had received administrative approval and that halting construction midway had caused inconvenience to local people and visitors.
Badachana MLA Amar Nayak said the matter would be discussed with ASI officials to find an amicable solution that balances heritage conservation with the region’s developmental needs. He expressed hope that the concerns raised by the ASI could be addressed without indefinitely delaying the project.
The Udayagiri Buddhist Complex, a protected monument of national importance and part of Odisha’s celebrated Buddhist heritage circuit, has also figured on UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. The ASI is expected to take a final decision after examining the project’s compliance with the applicable conservation regulations.
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