Protests begin in Jaleshwar, Odisha due to damage to Raibania Fort

BALASORE: Members of the Raibaniya Durga Suraksha Samiti on Monday stopped the ongoing development works at the Raibaniya ancient garrison in Jaleshwar block of Balasore district alleging that the construction agency had destroyed three gates and security walls of the garrison to preserve its historical importance. Instead of restoring them, the , had them demolished as part of road construction around the site.

Political party leaders, including committee joint secretary Narayan Prasad Das, joined the protesters and stressed the importance of preserving the age-old outpost. He said the state government had allocated `16.87 crore for its renovation and development, the foundation stone of which was laid by Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Ashwini Kumar Patra in December 2023.

Committee members emphasized that the gates and walls built with historic stones serve as educational sites for tourists, with each stone holding unique historical significance. Seeking consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Sudarshan Das, leader of a local political organisation, urged the Rural Development (RD) department to carry out the construction and restoration work without damaging the structure.

“There is a need for a road around the garrison but the agency cannot just demolish the existing gates and walls,” Minister Patra said. He directed the officials to investigate the matter and submit the report.
Raibania Fort stands as a relic of the region’s history, once considered the largest medieval fort in eastern India. Raibania Fort Development Committee (RDC) Chairman Brijesh Kumar Rana confirmed that the construction agency, in collaboration with RD officials, has begun work on restoring the ancient stones to their original condition after completing the foundation work for the new gates and walls. Was done.