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Konark: The Sun Temple here may lose its very existence and may be reduced to a heap of sand and stone if proper steps are not taken for preservation of the heritage site.
Members of Konark Surakshya Samiti (KSS) Monday put the blame on the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which has been bestowed with the responsibility of conservation of the historic site. “ASI collects lakhs of rupees annually, but does not take proper steps to preserve the site,” said a KSS member.
Instead of applying chemical paint on the stone-carved artefacts and images on temple walls, the ASI has engaged unskilled workers who are using metallic brushes to clean the sculptures, they said. This would hasten the decay of the monument, they said.
“ASI has apparently failed to preserve the Black Pagoda as the authorities are not bothered about the praised the state and the country received from people across the world because of its unique work,” a KSS member said.
“I make it a point to visit the Sun Temple every year. However, the temple is not being preserved properly. Substandard stones are being used in the maintenance work and this will adversely affect the beauty of the temple,” said Brigit Violate of France.
KSS president Badal Dash alleged that lakhs of rupees are being misappropriated by ASI authorities in the name of proper upkeep of the temple. The monument would soon be reduced to an artless structure, he claimed.
“Common stones are used in the maintenance work as artful stones are not available. There is also a dearth of skilled artists. However, we will take proper care to preserve the historic site,” said ASI official Nirmal Mohapatra.
