Bhubaneswar, Sept. 11: Scaffolding around the Sun temple at Konark has cast a shadow on the proposed light-and-sound show at the world heritage site.
India Tourism Development Corporation, along with Odisha Tourism, is supposed to develop the show, for which Rs 6.06 crore has been earmarked. The contract to execute the project has been awarded to TricolorIndia Schauspiel Private Limited, the India branch of the UK-based Projection Studio, which has launched a similar project at Dhauli Peace Pagoda on the city outskirts.
However, the project is yet to take off as the scaffolding around the temple is seen as an obstacle to the show. A highly placed source in the state's tourism circle told The Telegraph: "The scaffolding around the monument is positioned in such a manner that the firm's technical experts are finding it difficult to get a proper surface to run the show."
"First, there was a plan to run the light-and-sound show at the southeast corner of the monument. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) promised us last November that the scaffolding would be removed within three months. But they have not done it," Ankur Srivastava of TricolorIndia said.
Following this, the corporation officials approached the ASI, and accordingly, another portion of the temple was chosen to project the images for the show. But then, the ASI started erecting the scaffolding on that side as well.
Srivastava said a fresh plan for the show had been submitted to the ASI, whose nod is a must for the commissioning. "We are using the 3D mapping technology, which is based on light and will have no ill effect on the 13th century monument. But, we need a clear and hurdle free surface for projecting the images," he said.
He said that if the ASI did not co-operate in removing the scaffolding, the show might not be possible to run.
ASI superintending archaeologist A.K. Patel said: "The prime objective of our organisation is to conserve the monument as it is an important site of the world. Experts from all corners of the world are suggesting conservation methods for the monument. Conservation tops our priority and the light-and-sound show comes next."
Patel said the local ASI circle had forwarded the application seeking permission for the show to its head office in Delhi.
The light-and-sound show at Dhauli, on the other hand, is drawing huge crowds. "We want to promote tourism and will try to replicate the Dhauli success story at Konark. The ASI officials may have conservation as their top priority, but the scaffolding cannot remain there forever. We have written letters to the ASI to accelerate the project," said tourism director Anil Samal.
"Since the light-and-sound show started at Dhauli on August 8, it has been running houseful almost every day. Till August 23 (for 13 days), revenue from the show stood at Rs 72,000," said tourist officer Shashank Rath.
Tickets for the show, that can accommodate 200 people, cost Rs 25 for general viewers and Rs 10 for students. The show runs every day except Monday.
