Jagmohan repair: ASI approves Core Committee’s design

Puri: The tussle between the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Odisha Works department over the design of the portal box-frame of the Jagmohan chamber of Shri Jagannath temple has come to an end, as the former approved the design made by the core committee of the state government after declining it initially.

According to sources, the ASI DG, in a letter to the Odisha Works department secretary, informed about the approval and has sought an estimate of the steel frame.

After the approval of the Core Committee, the Works department had prepared the design which proposed the installation of a steel frame after removal of stone. However, ASI had disagreed with the design and said it will issue a ‘no-risk’ certificate if the design is carried out.

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“The ASI DG in his letter to the Works Secretary has informed that the design which was prepared by the Core Committee has been approved by the agency. The DG has also requested to conduct estimation and complete the work soon,” said Prasanna Kumar Hota of Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).

After ASI nod to the design, the repair work of the Jagmohan is expected to be expedited.