(Top) Khandagiri caves and electrical wires lay idle after cancellation of the light and sound project at Ranigumpha of Udayagiri. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, April 5: The heritage bye-laws are there, but there’s no one to impose them for the conservation of one of the oldest and most prominent Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monuments in the temple city.

Outside the Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves, buildings that are being constructed threaten to damage the 1st century BC caves. Inside, an abandoned light-and-sound-show project is feared to have already harmed some of the caves while leftover wires pose a tripping hazard to visitors.

The caves tell the tale of the gallant King Kharavela through inscriptions and a palatial mansion carved in rock.

But today, the caves that are guarded only at the entrance have been marred by graffiti.

Moreover, it has also turned into a den for anti-social elements and is considered unsafe for visitors in the afternoon and evening.

“We come here to practise art work since these caves are inspiring. Sadly, we have faced many problems here, like eve-teasing,” said Shubhra, an art student of the nearby BK College of Arts and Crafts.

“We really think that the ASI or other authorities that are responsible for the monument should have more guards here so that visitors, especially tourists, feel safe to visit,” she added.

If that was not enough, an ambitious light-and-sound-show that begun in 2005 served yet another blow to the preservation of the caves, especially Rani Gumpha in Udayagiri. The project that aimed to give a boost to tourism led to digging of the floor for wiring.

“The wiring seemed to have harmed the site and so it was abandoned within a few weeks after work began in 2005,” said A.K. Patel, ASI superintending archaeologist for Bhubaneswar Circle.

Many archaeologists, however, allege that it was because of the irresponsibility of both the ASI and officials of the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) that the project went awry.

“The project was handed over to an inexperienced group of electricians without briefing them about the heritage site,” said a former ASI official.

The wiring and equipment installed during the project are still lying at the site, tarnishing its image. The wires are a tripping hazard for visitors, especially children.

Growing urbanisation is yet another bane that dogs the caves. The area is now a popular realty destination even though it was considered to lie on the outskirts of the city even a decade ago.

“The proximity of the aerodrome can threaten the structure because of vibrations. Also, growing settlements around the monuments need to be checked,” said the former ASI official.

According to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, which came into force on March 30, 2010, no construction, including public projects, can come up within 100 metres of an ASI regulated monument of national importance.

Secretary for tourism and culture Ashok Tripathy said wiring would soon be removed and steps to repair the damage done would be taken.

“We have already discussed repair work with ASI officials,” he said, adding, “The light-and-sound-show will be re-launched soon, just outside the monument, in a different form. This time, utmost care has been taken in consulting archaeologists.”