HC gives ASI 2 wks to reply on plea against closure of Puri bridge

Cuttack: The Orissa high court on Monday allowed two weeks to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to clear the air over an alternative route for pedestrians after closure of the heritage Atharnala bridge, a protected monument at the entry point of Puri, over the Musa river.The HC was hearing a PIL seeking intervention against closure of the 13th century heritage bridge for pedestrians. Kelu Charan Paikray, a resident of the locality, filed the petition on May 15, 2023. The petition pointed out pedestrians don’t have any safe passage to cross the river after closure of the bridge.Deputy solicitor general P K Parhi sought 15 more days to file a counter affidavit. Taking note of it, the two-judge bench of Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice M S Raman said, “A fortnight’s time is further allowed to the ASI to file counter affidavit.” The bench adjourned the hearing to March 18. Earlier, ASI was made a party to the PIL after the roads & buildings division of works department stated in an affidavit that two bridges — one in 2008 and another in 2015 — were constructed as alternative routes.No pedestrian strips were provided on the twin bridges as the old Atharanala bridge was being used for pedestrian traffic. But the old bridge was closed for pedestrian traffic by ASI in January 2020 and the reasons are not known, the affidavit stated. Accordingly, ASI was issued notice and asked to showcause why it shall not allow pedestrians to cross Atharanala on September 21, 2023. On November 30, the HC adjourned hearing on the matter after two weeks as time was sought by ASI to file a counter affidavit. Another adjournment followed on January 10 as the ASI stated a copy of the petition was yet to be received.