ASI fails to assess damages at temples

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Bhubaneswar: Even though 15 days have elapsed since the severe cyclonic storm pulverised the Capital city, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is yet to complete the assessment of damages caused to the city’s temples.
According to sources, the ASI is responsible for maintenance and protection of 36 temples under Bhubaneswar sub-circle of the central authority. Tropical storm Fani has caused massive destruction to these temples as a huge number of trees on these temple precincts were uprooted and the constructions damaged.
A portion of the boundary wall of Rajarani temple has caved in when a tree fell on it during the storm. The water cooler system which was newly installed on the temple premises, has also suffered heavy damage. Similarly, the roof of the ticket counter has blown away by the high-velocity wind of the cyclone. Another temple which also bore the brunt of the cyclone is Bhaskareswar temple, the compound wall and iron grille of which suffered heavy damage.
Similarly, the broken boundary wall and iron grille of Rameswar temple stand witness to the severity of the cyclone.
Damage was also caused to the drinking water shed, the boundary wall and the grilles at Megheswar temple here.
The cyclone has also not spared the Lingaraj temple where a portion of the main entrance and an aluminum shed have been damaged. Likewise, a cooling machine at Mukteswar temple has become dysfunctional post Fani.
Meanwhile, questions have been raised on the promptness of the ASI as the exact data regarding the damages caused to the temples is missing. When asked, ASI superintendent, Conservation, Trailokya Nath Behera said, “The exact figure of damages caused to the temples will be available after completion of the assessment. Survey has been conducted in most of the temples except for a few.”