The team visited Konark on Friday and observed that there is no structural damage to the monument.
(Photo: iStock)
A high level team of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials is in Odisha to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Fani to Puri’s Jagannath Temple and the Sun Temple at Konark.
Led by DG, ASI, Usha Sharma, the team visited Konark on Friday and observed that there is no structural damage to the monument. The scaffolding provided for chemical cleaning at upper level was dislocated and is being set right.
Restoration of electric and illumination system as well as internet access will take time. Over 200 fallen trees are being cleared to ensure that the monument is thrown open to public in the next 2-3 days.
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The complete restoration of the monument, including chemical cleaning and consolidation of eastern face, will be completed within a fortnight.
The team will now visit Sri Jagannath Puri Temple to assess the damage. Superintending Archaeologist, Bhubaneswar Circle ASI, had inspected Jagannath Temple at Puri where he found certain damages on the surface but no major damage to the structure of the temple.
The ASI team is visiting the state after Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik requested Union Minister of State of Culture Mahesh Sharma to send an expert team to assess the damage caused to Jagannath Temple and Sun Temple.
“It is reported that significant damage has been caused to the infrastructure of Jagannath Temple, Puri. Even the Sun Temple, Konark is reportedly closed for tourists,” the CM told Sharma in a letter.
The CM said that the team need to be sent expeditiously to assess the damage due to the upcoming Rath Yatra at Puri which is scheduled for 4 July.
Cyclone Fani, which made landfall in Puri on 3 May, had caused extensive damage to the coastal regions of the state.
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