Request to declare Bhubaneswar as a heritage city

Bhubaneswar, Sep 21 (UNI) The Orissa chapter of the INTACH has demanded World Heritage status for Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa.

The INTACH has urged the state government to write to UNESCO to accord such heritage status.

A delegation of the INTACH, which called on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here yesteday said Bhubaneswar has some 5000 years old history of art and architecture and deserved to get heritage site status.

The delegation also presented a blue print for conservation and protection of unprotected monuments in Bhubaneswar and Puri, a famous sea resort of the country.

A survey report of INTACH says while Puri has some 239 unprotected monuments, Bhubaneswar has about 199.

The Chief Minister told the delegation that the State Archaeology department would take up the conservation work of the monuments and renovate the historic tanks with funds available from the 12th Finance Commission.

The meeting also decided to introduce colour code around Bindusagar pond and paint all houses there with a matching one.

UNI