Central Delegation To Inspect Structural Safety Of Jagannath Temple

NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: The union government would send a delegation headed by Culture secretary to inspect structural safety of the Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri, especially the safety of the Jagamohan.

The team that will also include DG, Archaeological Survey of India (ASl), other senior officers and engineers of IIT Chennai will hold a discussion with all the stakeholders including Odisha government for repair of Jagamohan.

They will also consult expert faculty from IIT Bhubaneswar and NIT Rourkela on the structural aspects of the temple.

It was decided at a meeting convened at the initiative of Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to discuss all aspects relating to the structural safety of the Lord Jagannath Temple. The meeting was attended by Culture and Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma, Culture secretary, ASI DG and other senior officers of the Culture Ministry.

The report submitted by the National Centre for Safety of Heritage Structures, Department Of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, Chennai, along with the proceedings of the Technical Committee of ASI on the issue was also discussed.

During discussion, ASI DG clarified that the suggestions of various recommendations received on the structural safety of the Jagamohan are under review and efforts are being made to find a lasting and permanent solution to the problem.

Pradhan said the union government is committed to ensuring safety of the Jagannath temple in general and the Jagamoham in particular.

No limitations of expertise, effort or finance would come in the way of this commitment, he added.

Mahesh Sharma assured that ASI would take all steps in consultation with all stakeholders in the interest of the temple and devotees in a time bound manner.