Jamshedpur, April 21: Overcoming pressure from local tribal populace at Khukhragarh, a fresh initiative for excavation there is all set to start soon.

Officials of the state archaeology department cited “less manpower” as the reason behind the abrupt end in the project even as art and culture minister Bandhu Tirkey had ordered a temporary ban of work at the site in Bero block, about 40km from Ranchi.

Today, a team of senior officials from the archaeology department accompanied by experts visited the site for a fresh review of the site. “We thought it best to start work afresh, as it has got delayed unnecessarily too. We would ideally like to finish off the work early so that a fresh project can be undertaken,” said H.P. Sinha, the deputy director of the art and culture department and also the in-charge of the excavation.

Objection to the excavation was raised last month following an allegation by a section of a tribal community members after they spotted a hargahi (burial ground) at the site of excavation, which they claimed could only be removed after proper consultation. Soon, Tirkey had ordered the “ban” arguing it to be a “mark of sentiment to the tribals”.

“Work should again start soon. We are looking ahead at beginning work in less than a week’s time,” added Sinha.

The site had gained a lot of significance following excavation in the initial days which had sprung surprises by unearthing a lot of things dating back to the Mughal period as also the Aryan age. “We found a lot of things dating back to the earlier periods. The fresh excavation would ensure that we give the place a proper identity and establish a date in history for the site which has definitely managed to raise a lot of interest,” added Sinha who led the team which visited the site today.

At present, a lot of other proposed projects are lined up which would be taken up after the ongoing work at Khukhragarh was “formally completed”.