Puri included in heritage city list

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar, Jan 22: Lord Jagannath’s abode Puri has been included in the National Heritage Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) and will get special grants for developmental works.Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Urban Development Minister M.Venkaiah Naidu for the inclusion and said its natural for Odia’s to feel honoured as this has been done in the Nabakalebar year of Lords.The new scheme seeks to promote an integrated, inclusive and sustainable development of heritage sites, focusing not just on maintenance of monuments but on advancement of the entire ecosystem including its citizens, tourists and local businesses.Union Minister for Urban Development M.Venkaiah Naidu and Minister of Tourism and Culture Mahesh Sharma have jointly launched the programme in New Delhi.While as per UNESCO resignation there are 32 natural and cultural heritage sites, the Government has included 12 cities in HRIDAY scheme at present.Initially for Puri city Rs.22.54 crore has been allocated under the scheme, according to official sources.