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Puri: Even as the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is monitoring the renovation work currently in progress at the Jagannath temple here, sculptors have cast doubt on the deadline set by the ASI authorities to complete the work.
Sources said, currently a handful of workers have been engaged to repair the gumuta of the 12th century shrine which involves the inspection and replacement of weak stones.
“The gumuta repair work is a daunting task and without hands of expert sculptors it will be difficult to meet the March 2014 deadline set by the ASI,” sculptor Pratap Moharana, who has been engaged in the work said adding at least 60 workers are needed on a daily basis to meet the timeline.
“I am surprised the ASI-trained sculptors are not being engaged in the task and how they are day dreaming to finish the work by March,” asked Moharana.
But the apex body that protects and conserves monuments, is not ready to buy the claims.
“The work is in full swing. Inspection of all stones and replacement of weak ones are being replaced. We hope that by March end we'll be able to finish the repair work,” Jibanjyoti Pattnayak, Deputy Superintending Archaeologist said.
When asked about the renovation work of the temple, temple chief administrator Arvind Padhee stated: “They (ASI authorities) have assured us to complete the repair work of the gumuta by March end and set June deadline for fresh coating of the temple.”
“I hope as promised to us the scaffoldings would also be removed by this December end,” added the official.
Meanwhile, based on eminent environmentalist Subhas Dutta’s petition at the National Green Tribunal over ASI's inordinate delay in executing the repair work, a notice has been sent to ASI in this regard.
In his petition Dutta has alleged that technical expertise was lacking in conserving the temple.
