Jagmohan repair: ASI rejects core committee estimate

Puri: Uncertainty looms large over the repair of the Jagamohan at Srimandir as the Director General (DG) of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has rejected the estimate made by the core committee and formed a panel led by joint DG of ASI to reinspect the Jagamohan condition and make a fresh estimate..

The core committee had estimated an expenditure of Rs 2.5 crore towards purchase of stainless steel to be used in the repair work. A high level meeting of ASI held on May 5 in Delhi disapproved of such a plan and formed another committee for survey.

The committee led by the ASI joint DG will inspect the cracked area of the Jagmohan 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.