The Lion’s Gate of Jagannath temple here is in need of urgent repair. This was observed by an expert committee, which was constituted to monitor the ongoing repair and conservation work in the temple. The committee members made the observation after reviewing the ongoing works on Friday.
Earlier, repair works at the Lion’s Gate could not be taken up due to presence of illegal structures. The case is still pending with the Orissa High Court.
The expert committee advised the temple administration to expedite the case to facilitate repair works.
They reviewed deplastering and repair works at the Kalash and Chakra of Jagamohan. Dharmu Prasad Mishra, one of the experts, said after deplastering, cracks have surfaced and some of them are big and need urgent repair. Of 70 weak stones, more than half have been replaced and rest would be covered soon, Mishra said. Special measures would be taken to fix the tilting Chakra atop the Jagamohan, he added.
Experts informed that as far as stability of the Neelachakra is concerned, a chemical lotion is being prepared at the ASI office at Dehradun which would be applied for protecting it from saline breeze.