Bhubaneswar: Odisha Board of Revenue has ordered restoration of over 11 acres of land worth more than Rs 110 crore near Konark Sun Temple to govt records, setting aside a 1989 order that had recognised private claims over the property.The board allowed revision petitions filed by the Puri collector on behalf of the state and held that the earlier settlement order suffered from legal infirmities. It observed that mere possession, payment of rent or entries in revenue records cannot establish ownership unless backed by a valid title.The disputed land, located in front of the Unesco World Heritage monument, was originally recorded as govt land. The board found that private claims were based on old hatapattas (hand records) and subsequent transactions, whose legal validity could not be sustained.Emphasising the importance of protecting land around the heritage site, the board directed revenue authorities to correct records, verify plot boundaries and safeguard public assets, including a govt road passing through the area.
