ASI to conduct 3D Laser Scanning on Konark Temple

"ASI`s director general Goutam Sengupta today assured Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to use enodoscopy camera to take picture of the interior condition of Jagamohan which remained closed from all sides," a senior official of the culture department said.

Konark Temple, also called Black Pagoda, was built in the 13th century and had already lost its main temple while only `Jagamohan` remained intact.

However, the British government between 1900-1903 had sealed Jagamohan by filling sand inside it.

Though ASI had been trying to conserve the remaining Jagamohan portion of the ancient heritage by uncovering the seal, it had been facing opposition from different quarters incuding senior archeologists.

Therefore, it had been decided to use 3D Laser Scanning by Central Building Research Institute, a senior ASI official said adding that the interior condition of the Jagamohan could be easily be known for better conservation.

"It will be easy for the ASI to conserve the remaining portion of the Konark Temple," Sengupta told the chief minister, a release issued by the chief minister`s office here said.

This apart, Sengupta had also assured the state government that the ASI had already started working to end the water logging surrounding the Konark Temple. The work to avoid water logging near Konark temple would be completed within two months, Sengupta said.

"We have an ambitious plan for the conservation of Konark Temple," Sengupta told reporters after meeting the chief minister.

Besides, the ASI DG also informed the state government about its plan to appoint a deputy superintendent rank archaelogist at Puri to monitor conservation work of Konark Temple and the 12th century Sri Jagannath Temple.

The state government also requested the ASI authorities to expedite the conservation of other important monuments at Dhauli, Sisupalgarh and Hirapur.