Bhubaneswar: With water-logging posing a
serious threat to the historic Sun Temple at Konark, an
expert team sent by Orissa government inspected the heritage
site to examine the drainage system there.
A six-member team comprising engineers and officials
from the government and state-owned Orissa Construction
Corporation (OCC) yesterday visited the 13th century monument,
about 65 km from here, official sources said today.
As incessant rains for the last couple of days kept
the world famous Sun Temple submerged disappointing tourists,
members of the expert delegation said a plan to drain out
water accumulated around the structure would be submitted
soon.
Since Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) looks after
preservation of the historical monument, the team is expected
to present the proposed plan for its concurrence, they said.
It is proposed to construct a concrete drain measuring
about two km to connect the monument site with a nullah, close
to Bhubaneswar-Konark road, a senior official said adding the
idea is to drain out water from the temple to the nullah.
According to conservative estimates the work is
expected to cost about Rs one crore, sources said.
Since there is a protected area with a radius of 120
metres around the structure, ASI should either build the
portion of the drain falling in this zone or allow the state
government to construct it, they said.
PTI
