Odisha: Cloud over Puri shrine damage study method

CUTTACK: Monitoring of repair work at the Jagannath Temple in Puri by the Orissa high court took a new turn on Monday with the Amicus Curiae, appointed by it, raising doubts over the efficacy of the system being adopted to study the cracked beams on the roof inside Natamandapa (dancing hall) of the 12th century shrine. The court has allowed the Amicus Curiae time till April 8 to substantiate his claim.

The doubt raised by the Amicus Curiae assumes significance as the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had on the advice of IIT Madras commissioned the system on December 20 last year to decide on restoration of the roof inside Natamandapa. Amicus Curiae N K Mohanty raised the objection when ASI submitted an affidavit stating that it has been assessing the distressed stone beams on the roof of the Natamandapa through a process called ‘Structural Health Monitoring System’ according to the advice of IIT Madras.

By way of oral submission, Mohanty alleged that the Structural Health Monitoring System being adopted to study the beams on the roof inside Natamandapa is ‘defective’ and sought time to substantiate his claim.

“Taking note of it, the division bench of Chief Justice K S Jhaveri and Justice K R Mohapatra posted the matter to April 8 for hearing along with the Amicus Curiae’s report,” central government counsel Chandrakanta Pradhan told TOI.

“In his report, the Amicus Curiae is expected to corroborate his claim,” Pradhan said.

The court has been monitoring the repair work of Natamandapa after Mohanty submitted a report pointing out that the roof above the Garuda Stamba needs urgent attention.

In his affidavit, ASI (Bhubaneswar circle) superintending archaeologist Arun Malik on Monday said after studying the monitoring data on distressed stone beams from December last year to March 5, the IIT Madras had advised to extend the monitoring system to rest of the beams (not distressed) at the location.

“Accordingly, action has already been initiated by the ASI, Bhubaneswar circle, for continuing structural health monitoring of the distressed stone beams, apart from other beams, of the Natamandapa,” Malik said in his affidavit.

“Also arrangement has been made for monitoring structural behaviour of the wrought iron beam below the distressed stone beam according to advice of the National Centre for Safety of Heritage Structures, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras”, Malik further stated in his affidavit.

The court had appointed advocate N K Mohanty as Amicus Curiae as part of adjudication of a PIL on inadequacy in renovation and repair work at the Jagannath Temple. City-based social activist Abhisek Das had filed the PIL.