Why the Restoration of Rourkela's Vedavyas Shrine is Stalled: Legal Hurdles Explained

Delays in Temple Restoration at Vedavyas Shrine

In Rourkela, the restoration of temples at the Vedavyas shrine is facing significant delays due to the absence of essential legal approvals. While some peripheral construction work has been completed, the main restoration efforts remain on hold.

Sources indicate that the lack of permission under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE) Act of 1951 is the primary reason for the delay, as this approval is crucial for demolishing the old temples. Consequently, the core reconstruction activities have yet to commence.

The Roads and Buildings (R&B) department allocated ₹14.15 crore for the Vedavyas shrine's development for the financial year 2024-25, with an initial completion target set for February 24, 2025. However, after 14 months, progress has been limited to constructing stalls, kirtan halls, prayer areas, and a fire altar, along with an idol of Lord Shiva at the main intersection, while the demolition of existing temples has not started.

Officials have stated that although applications for the necessary legal permissions have been submitted, the approval process is still ongoing. The responsibility for safeguarding the temple's assets during the demolition will fall on Vedavyas Trust Chairman and Sundargarh District Collector Manoj Mahananda, along with Vice Chairman and Rourkela Additional District Magistrate Ashutosh Kulkarni.

The Vedavyas shrine features a Mahadev temple and several other temples dedicated to various deities. There are concerns regarding the protection of the ‘Shivling’ and other idols before any demolition occurs.

Alok Kumar Nayak, the regional head of the Rourkela Roads and Buildings department, mentioned that significant work, including beautification projects, the construction of a ‘mandap’, and the installation of stalls, has been completed to transform Vedavyas shrine into a religious tourism hub. However, he reiterated that the legal approval for the reconstruction of the temples is still pending. He expressed optimism that the necessary approvals would be granted within the next seven months, allowing construction to proceed.