Bhubaneswar: In a bid to transform Puri into a world heritage city, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today appointed five IAS probationers for proper execution of various development projects in pilgrim town.

The 2018 batch IAS officers are Suryavanshi Mayur Vikash, Keerthi Vashan V, Dr Shubhankar Mohapatra, J Sonal and Bhuvnesh Devidas Patil.

The five probationers have been appointed to assist Puri district collector and will remain in-charge of implementation of projects worth Rs 500 crore allotted by Odisha government for Puri, a release from Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated today.

The projects include development, rehabilitation, conservation of mutts and security tightening near Srimandir.

Before joining their duty, they met Chief Advisor to CMO R Balkrishnan and Secretary to CM's- Transformation and Initiatives (5Ts) VK Pandian, who briefed them about their role and responsibilities.

Recently, CM Patnaik had announced Rs 500-crore mega plan project for development of Puri during eviction drive around Srimandir.

Earlier, a Rs 265 crore plan project was announced for infrastructure development under the Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA) scheme.