The report that appeared in the September 5 issue of The Telegraph

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 6: An expert committee consisting of archaeologists and technical professionals will soon conserve heritage sites that need immediate attention.

Officials of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the state culture department took this decision at a high-level meeting held today. Age-old monuments in the city that are plagued by encroachment and waterlogging will now be saved from dilapidation.

Today’s meeting, followed by a visit to the sites by top officials as well as culture minister Prafulla Samal, was held in the wake of reports in The Telegraph on heavy waterlogging and urban vandalism, which plague heritage monuments such as the 8th century Vaitaal temple located in Old Town.

The heritage site, declared a protected monument by the ASI, has had water accumulating on its premises during the monsoon for more than a decade. On September 5, The Telegraph had reported on the stamp of neglect on Vaitaal temple that is facing water percolation and encroachment issues.

“To look into the matter, culture minister Prafulla Samal, Ashok Panda, Bhubaneswar MLA (Ekamra) and secretary of the culture department, Ashok Tripathy, along with officials of ASI, went on a visit to Vaitaal temple,” said A.K. Patel, superintendent, ASI, Orissa circle.

“This is a regular problem at the site. As an instant measure, we arranged for the stagnant water to be pumped out of the temple precinct and even organised cleaning of the temple walls. We also came up with a decision to form a technical committee that would consist of experts to find a long-term solution to this problem,” Patel added.

“Expert heritage conservationist Anupam Sah will be the consultant of the committee to be formed. The team will look into problems of water drainage, which poses a major threat to the heritage monuments. Other issues threatening the conservation of the ancient structures will also be looked into by the committee,” said Ashok Panda.

Among major heritage sites of the state that face waterlogging during the monsoon is the world-renowned 13th century Konark Sun temple that has been swamped by the problem for the past few years.

Last year too, the temple had accumulated knee-deep water, while so far conditions are better at the world heritage site this year.