ASI Directed To Take Steps For Structural Safety Of Jagannath Temple: Modi

BHUBANESWAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday assured Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had been asked to take appropriate steps for the structural safety of Jagannath Temple and Jagamohan.

In a telephonic conversation with the Prime Minister, Patnaik informed him that the safety of Jagannath Temple is a matter of concern, and it needs to be addressed swiftly.

Notably, ASI technical core committee chairman GC Mitra, who resigned recently, sounded alarming signals saying, the Puri temple may collapse like Sun Temple at Konark if necessary steps were not taken immediately.

On Monday, a meeting was held in New Delhi attended by Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Culture and Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma where it was decided that a delegation headed by Culture Secretary would move 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.