Bhubaneswar, Feb. 4: A team known for their restoration work at Buckingham Palace, the White House complex and even the pyramids of Djoser, Egypt, is at work in Konark.
The team of experts from Wales, UK, is conducting special laser scanning of the Sun temple to assess its structural state and preservation requirements.
The latest technique of analysis of a heritage monument’s current structural state is being used for the first time in Odisha.
After deciding to find out the preservation needs of the Sun temple, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) handed over the job to the Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee.
Accordingly, experts from the institute have been working on the laser scanning and endoscopy videography over the past one month.
The Roorkee institute later roped in Cintec from Newport, Wales, to use the engineering firm’s expertise in laser scanning.
An archaeologist of the ASI, Bhubaneswar circle, said this highly scientific technique was helping them understand the temple’s condition.
“This is an investigation of the temple’s present condition through laser exposure and scanning. After the experts are done, they will give us a detailed report about the parameter of repairs and preservation work required for the monument,” said A.K. Patel, superintendent of archaeology, ASI, Bhubaneswar.
“We first analyse the situation of the monument through a detailed study and then use laser scanning that gives us an idea about the structural state of the site,” said an expert from the Welsh firm.
Archaeologists are concentrating on the Jagamohana or central porch of the temple that was filled with sand by British archaeologists between 1901 and 1903 to ensure it stood firm.
Though the officials did not reveal the exact figures, a rough estimation indicated that the scanning cost could be quite expensive. The work will take another three months or more, said Patel.
The restoration initiative was announced in February last year when ASI director-general Goutam Sengupta met chief minister Naveen Patnaik and discussed the necessity of preservation of the Black Pagoda.
Local people have resented the neglect in conservation of the monument.
“During the past two years, poor quality pipes have been bought at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore and now are lying on the ASI office premises. Moreover, untrained people are drilling cracks on the Sun temple, a move that have further damaged other sculptures,” said Prafulla Kumar Routray, a member of the Konark Nagarika Mancha.
The members also alleged that the work was causing trouble to visitors.However, Patel said this was the best standard of work that had ever been taken up in the state.
He also said there would be no problems for visitors whatsoever since the process of laser scanning was being conducted by experienced engineers of global fame.
