Bhubaneswar, Dec. 5: The state archaeology has identified 45 dilapidated temples across the state for a Rs 5-crore preservation project.

Some of the temples that have been selected for the project are the Kapileswar, Mangaleswar, Gangeshwar and the Yamuneshwar temples in Bhubaneswar, the Sakhigopinath temple at Sakhigopal and the Jain temple in Koraput.

"We had given a proposal for 1,000 temples, of which 45 has been selected. These are both protected and unprotected monuments that need immediate attention," said Sanghamitra Satpathy, superintendent of the state archaeology.

The temples that have been selected for conservation are more than 100 years old and have historical importance.

The objective is to conserve the temples by undertaking structural and chemical conservation, landscaping, adornment of monuments and building boundary walls.

"A team will visit the temple sites and assess the preservation job to be immediately undertaken," Satpathy said.

Funds for repairs will be allocated based on the survey report. Work on the project will begin in December and is expected to be over in a year. It has been decided that tenders would be invited to select contractors for the conservation.

"Our aim will be to select bidders, who have some prior knowledge in the field of archaeological conservations, because such jobs need expertise," Satpathy said.

Archaeologists say several historical monuments in the state are lying in neglect and the authorities have not bothered to take proper care.

"A strategy should be formed for proper survey of temples. A number of heritage structures have been damaged in the past five years. It is time that steps were taken to conserve them. Besides, there is need to raise awareness among the people about conserving these structures," said archaeologist Amiya Ranjan.

There are 218 monuments that the state archaeology manages and conservation will be taken in all the temples in a phased manner.