Experts take stock of Shreemandir repair

A five-member core committee headed by its chairperson AP Gupta arrived here on a three-day inspection of the ongoing repair and conservation work in the Shree Jagannath Temple on the Wednesday. The committee was constituted to monitor the repairs and conservation of the temple.

The experts advised the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to install lightning arrest equipment on the Nilachakra at the earliest. The committee advised to instal corrosion free steel beams at the crack of Natamandaop just over the Garuda pillar in the Natamandop. This apart, they also advised to repair Jaibijay and Beheran doors of the temple which even after repairs recently developed cracks.

Anchal Mittal, expert of the Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, advised to place a load shed above the steel cages placed to strengthen the damaged pillars of Jagamohan. Superintendent of ASI Bhubaneswar circle Hemasagar Abhay Naik accompanied the team. Former Chief Eengineer DP Mishra, PL Mahapatra and Bindheswar Patra were in the team. The members would examine the other aspects of repairs in next two days and submit report to the Government.