Cuttack: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has informed Orissa High Court that the mode of repair of natmandap (dancing hall) of the Puri Jagannath temple will be decided only after inspection of the roof ceiling above Garuda stambha.

In an affidavit, ASI (Bhubaneswar circle) superintending archaeologist H.A. Naik said: "An arrangement has been made to inspect the structural cracks that had appeared in the stone beam near the stambha in detail to arrive at an appropriate methodology."

"For arrival at a conclusion for permanent repair of the natmandap three days time is required for inspection. We expect the temple administration to provide space from February 21 to 23," Naik said.

"Taking note of it, the division bench of Chief Justice Vineet Saran and Justice B.K. Nayak posted the matter to March 6 for further monitoring of the work, along with the progress report in the form of an affidavit by the ASI," the Centre's counsel Chandrakanta Pradhan said on Thursday.

Initially, a repair scheme was taken up between December 13 and 16 to remove the cracked plaster and re-plaster it by using the appropriate material and complete it within a few days. But after removal of cracked plaster, some major structural cracks appeared in the stone beam below the plaster.

No repair work had since been taken up after it as the temple administration had pleaded that space would not be available inside the dancing hall due to excessive number of pilgrims. Giving an update on the work undertaken so far Naik further informed in his affidavit that the ASI had erected the temporary support system below the distressed stone beam near the stambha. The support system with mild steel props has been erected adjacent to the two pillars of the dancing hall near the stambha. It has been planned for the safety of the pilgrims while ensuring that no further damage is caused to the structure.