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Bhubaneswar, Sept 1: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will start steel beam framing of Jagamohan, the hall facing Sri Jagannath temple in Puri, from September 6.
This was decided at a high-level meeting held here Thursday under the chairmanship of ASI joint director general (DG) Janhavi Sharma. ASI core committee chairman GC Mitra and senior officials of Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and technical committee also attended the meeting held in two phases.
“It was decided that capital stone and repairing of four pillars of Jagamohan will start from September 6. The work will be done between 12 noon to 6 pm every day after the completion of Sakala Dhupa. The devotees will be allowed in the temple in the evening to have darshan,” SJTA chief administrator Suresh Chandra Mohapatra said.
As ASI does not have the capacity to execute the repair work, works department officials will do the same under ASI’s supervision, Mohapatra said. “We have targeted to complete the repair work within next three months.”
“The ASI has not submitted the design for installation of steel beam frame in the Jagamohan. Today, they have informed that they will submit the design after consulting IIT Chennai,” he added.
Two days back the ASI had informed the Orissa High Court that there has been no substantial progress in the repair of the main structure of Jagamohan.
In its affidavit submitted to the court, it said while a part of the repair work of the pillars of the main structure has been completed, it had asked the shrine administration to supply necessary materials and equipment to take up the repair of the remaining pillars.