Core committee, ASI to discuss Jagamohan repair today

Bhubaneswar: After the Director General (DG) of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) rejected the estimate and the repair plan of Jagamohana at Srimandir prepared by the core committee, Law Minister Arun Sahu has convened a meeting on Friday to chalk out the further course of action.

According to sources, the meeting will be attended by the member of Srimandir core committee and ASI officials.

Notably, a high level meeting of ASI held on May 5 in Delhi had disapproved the core committee’s estimation for an an expenditure of Rs 2.5 crore towards purchase of stainless steel to be used in the repair work.

Besides, a decision was taken at the meeting to form another committee led by the ASI joint DG to reinspect the Jagamohan.

The newly formed committee led by the ASI joint DG will inspect the cracked area of the Jagamohan again with the help of an expert from IIT, Madras. The ASI, which questioned the permanent security of the steel beam and pillar, will search for an alternative to steel, sources said.

The Jagamohan core committee had planned to purchase 64 tonnes of steel to repair four beams and eight pillars, which have developed cracks.