Railway halts Jagannath Temple construction work near Tatanagar station

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, May 8: A dispute erupted on Friday over the construction of a new building inside the Lord Jagannath Temple premises at Khasmahal, adjacent to Tatanagar railway station in Jamshedpur, after the Railways objected to the work, claiming the land falls under railway jurisdiction.
The temple committee had initiated construction of a new structure within the temple complex to expand facilities for devotees.
However, soon after the work began, railway authorities intervened and termed the construction unauthorized, alleging that no permission had been obtained for building on railway land.
A railway team, accompanied by a bulldozer, reached the site to stop the work and reportedly prepared for an anti-encroachment drive. The move triggered strong opposition from local residents, members of the temple committee and activists of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), leading to a tense situation at the spot.

As protests intensified, railway officials withdrew the bulldozer and temporarily suspended the action. Construction work at the site has also been halted for the time being.
VHP representatives said the temple is a matter of religious faith and any action affecting a religious place would not be tolerated without proper verification. They sought two days’ time from the railway administration to examine the land-related issues and clarify the nature of the construction.
The organization, however, maintained that it would not support any commercial activity being carried out in the name of the temple. At the same time, it asserted that genuine expansion work meant for religious purposes and devotees’ convenience should not be stopped arbitrarily.
According to administrative sources, a joint meeting involving railway officials, the temple committee, VHP representatives and local authorities is likely to be held soon to resolve the matter amicably.
Although the situation in the area remains peaceful at present, the land dispute surrounding the temple construction has drawn significant public attention, with the upcoming discussions expected to play a crucial role in determining the future course of action.