The countdown has already begun for Nabakalebar. Is Puri prepared for the mega festival when 50 lakh pilgrims are expected to turn up?

We are fully prepared and ready to welcome all the tourists and devotees. We want everyone to come and take part in the festival. It is not the festival of Puri, but a national event.

You have completed one year as chairman of the Nabakalebar infrastructure committee. You enjoy the status and power of a cabinet minister. Can you give a clear picture about the status of ongoing infrastructure projects?

Though the ongoing work on various projects such as drainage and roads are getting delayed, the progress is satisfactory. We hope they will be completed much ahead of the festival.

We notice that most of the city roads are dug up and there is no sign of restoration. Even you had earlier expressed displeasure over the slow progress of the work...

You are right to a certain extent. What you are talking about was the picture of the city 15 days ago. Things have moved fast and the ground situation has improved a lot. Earlier, there was a lack of co-ordination between different departments. Now, that has been streamlined. The cabling work has already been completed. Under a contingency plan, we have constructed 18km of sewer lines and connected it to important drains. The roads, which were damaged because of sewer work, will be repaired shortly. In fact, 70 per cent of the work has already been completed. The works department and the municipality are taking their job seriously and we hope that all the pending projects will be completed in time. No one should worry about it.

What are the reasons for the delay?

There are many agencies, which failed to work according to the plan. Now, they have been changed and all the projects are going on fine. We have also taken action against erring officials. Though earlier I had some reservation, now I am quite satisfied with the progress of the work.

Many parts of the state had been affected by jaundice just two months ago. Now, as nearly 50 lakh people are expected to congregate in Puri, there is a fear that there may be an outbreak of jaundice again. What precautions you have taken to prevent it?

All the old water pipelines passing through the drains have been replaced. A public awareness campaign on the maintenance of pipelines has already been conducted. We have inspected households that have shallow tube-wells. They have been given halogen tablets to disinfect the water sources. The public health divisions have been asked to keep a close watch on the supply of drinking water and maintain the quality. We have asked all the primary and community health centres in and around the city to let us know if any jaundice case was reported. We are all prepared to provide proper health care. We can now say with confidence that there is no threat of jaundice. People can come and enjoy the festival without any hesitation.

Lakhs of vehicles will enter the pilgrim city during the festival. There is an apprehension that there could be chaos over parking. Even, a section of police administration has expressed concerns over this.

Earlier, during the car festival, there were only arrangements to park vehicles inside the town. Keeping in mind the large number people who will visit this time, we have made parking arrangements in at least in 27 places outside the city. We hope there will be no chaos.

The state has demanded special assistance from the Centre for Nabakalebar to take up various infrastructure works. How much money has the state received so far?

As I have said before, the car festival is not the festival of Puri, but a national event. We had urged the Centre to release a special grant for the festival. The chief minister had also taken up the matter with the Prime Minister. But the Centre has not released a single paise so far. They have only included Puri under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive (Prasad) scheme like other 12 heritage cities across the country.

We have noticed that at some meetings related to festival, you were not invited by the temple administration. Do you feel sidelined?

Why should I be sidelined? The temple administration has its own role to perform and the infrastructure committee its own. The jobs are different. All of us are conscious of our own boundaries and working within them.

Besides being the chairman of the Nabakalebar infrastructure committee, you are also the MLA of Puri. What is your opinion about the ongoing differences between the Shankarachaya and the temple administration? The seer has already said that his role should be defined.

Shankaracharya is the religious guru and we have respect for him. All the disputes with the temple administration have been resolved. All rituals will be performed following the record of rights of the temple. He, along with his disciples, had taken part in the snana purnima, which was held smoothly on June 2. The sevayats of the temple also cooperated and paid due respect to him during his visit to the temple during the snana purnima. He has accepted the temple administration's invitation to come to the car festival on July 18 and offer his prayers. (Last year, he had boycotted the rath yatra protesting against the highhandedness of the temple management.)

Controversy still persists about whether the devotees will be allowed to mount the chariots and touch the deities. There are divergent opinions on this issue. What's your view on this issue?

There is no controversy on this issue any more. This is an old problem that has been resolved by the high court. According to the court's order, no one would be allowed to mount the chariots and touch the deities. Everyone had followed it last year and we expect everyone to abide by the direction this time too.

A debate is on regarding the temple administration's decision to stop the naba jauban darshan (first sight of the deities) this time...

This depends on the administration, particularly the temple, police and district administration. Taking the crowd into account, the temple administration will decide which darshan of the Lord would be opened to the public. They are the best judge. I should not intervene in it. It is their responsibility to ensure that all rituals of the Lord are conducted smoothly.

Last week we saw a clash between the police and the people at Samuka beach that raised questions on the law and order situation in the city. What is your take on this?

The law and order situation is better than it was earlier. The issue that you raised had nothing to do with a law and order problem. If people encroach upon the sea beach, the government will certainly take action.

You have seen many ups and downs in your life. Controversies always follow you. You had to resign from the post of speaker in 2008 after a lady marshal had levelled harassment charges against you. There was a murderous attempt on you.

Truth always prevails. There was a conspiracy to defame me. However, with God's blessings, I have emerged unscathed every time. People know me and they have faith in me.

Do you feel you have enemies working against you?

I had a belief that no one was my foe until the attack was made on me last year. The unexpected attack hurt me a lot.

How is the life at this moment?

There is no problem for me at this moment because the law and order problem has improved a lot. I am fine but I don't know what is in store for me in the future. I am no more a free bird in my town. Earlier, even when I was a minister and the speaker, I used to ride a Scooty and move around the city. Now, I have to take some amount of security protection when I go out. My movement has been restricted to some extent.