BMC & BDA have initiated the process to make ‘Ekamra Kshetra’ beggar-free on a priority basis

Bhubaneswar:8/12/20: As part of the beautification and developmental work of the State Government’s Ekamra Kshetra Amenities and Monumental Revival Action (EKAMRA) Plan, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) have initiated the process to make ‘Ekamra Kshetra’, the abode of Lord Lingaraj and heritage hub of the Temple City, beggar-free on a priority basis.

Efforts are on to rehabilitate the beggars or destitute roaming around the temple by providing livelihood support and bring them to the mainstream under the ‘Sahaya’ scheme of the government.
The BMC has started surveys in the Old Town area to identify beggars and homeless people. The Civic Body will also help the beggars who want to return to their homes and those who don’t wish to return will be rehabilitated in various shelter homes.

The administration has deployed Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and government officials in identifying beggars and shifting them to shelter homes.

In another development, so far about 90 percent land acquisition has been completed for the Ekamra Kshetra Heritage Project. The rest of the land acquisition will be completed by the end of this month under the Ekamra Kshetra Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, said a BMC official, who is the Nodal Officer for land acquisition.