Bhubaneswar, Aug. 14 -- The beautification works being carried out at the historical Atharanala have not gone down well with the residents of Puri district. They have alleged the district administration is destroying the historical importance in the name of beautification.

As per the sources, about Rs 80 crore has been sanctioned to carry out beautification on the 8.7 km stretch from the Atharanala bridge to the Huluhulia bridge and for the development of the Kanchi River. Facilities like a boating club, parking space, sitting arrangements, food court, and information center would come up on the stretch.

For this, 46.609 acre land is estimated to be acquired. Of the private land, while 12.746 acres have already been acquired, 7.776 acre...