Odisha CM seeks PM Modi's intervention to save Shri Jagannath temple

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal intervention to save the Shri Jagannath temple, the 12th century shrine, before any unfortunate incident takes place.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Patnaik said that the condition of the Jagmohan structure of the temple (the prayer hall) is alarming and needs emergency structural intervention to avoid any accidental failure.

Accusing the ASI of delaying the repair work, Patnaik pointed out that a technical committee, constituted by the Archaeological Survey of India that visited the temple, had recommended supporting the temple with a stainless steel frame structure.

Subsequently, the ASI began the restoration work. However, the intervention scheme has been disapproved by the director general of ASI without proposing any alternative solution to avoid any unforeseen failure with suggestion for further study.

Patnaik, in his letter, reminded the Prime Minister of how similar problems had occurred in the past at Sun Temple in Konark, the 13th century shrine, leading to the collapse of its "Jagmohan" pillar for which it had to be filled with sand to protect the monument thereby completely preventing entry inside.

Proposing that the State Government would bear all the expenditures for the work, Patnaik said urged the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter personally to save this monument before any unfortunate incident.