Konark Suraksha Samiti threatens to gherao ASI

An organisation leading a movement for conservation of the world famous Sun Temple at Konark today threatened to gherao the Archaeological Survey of India office here from November 17 if the preservation work is not taken up on a war footing.
The Sun Temple was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO way back in 1984 for its unique art and architecture, but the structure is losing its glory due to negligence in its conservation, Konark Suraksha Samiti (KSS) State Convenor, Surendranath Mishra told reporters here.
Despite a number of recommendations made by experts since 1950 for proper conservation of the Sun Temple, the ASI has not implemented a single suggestion so far, Mishra said.

Though the sand in the Jagmohan (central complex) of the temple posed danger to the structure, the ASI has not taken any step to remove it, he said.
Moreover, the temple was losing its uniqueness as ASI was replacing the beautifully carved stones that fell from the temple wall with plain stones, Mishra claimed, apprehending that the Konark Temple would be gradually converted into a mere plain stone wall if the current practice continued.
Then Union Petroleum Minister along with Culture Minister, while laying the foundation stone for Rs 36 crore peripheral beautification project of Konark provided by Indian Oil Foundation in July last year had announced that the project would be completed by February 2015, but no progress has been made so far, Mishra rued.

Though the Samiti has been demanding steps to waive entry fee to the Sun Temple on every Saturday to allow devotees to offer puja, nothing has been done, he said.

He said a committee was formed by Odisha government in July, 2011 to review the conservation status of the Sun Temple and the peripheral developmental works of Konark. However, it met only once so far, he claimed.
Asking both the Centre and the state government to ensure that conservation work is taken up on a war footing with latest technology as per recommendations of experts, Mishra said the project for peripheral beautification of Konark should be given a momentum.

He said the ASI office here would be gheraoed from November 17 for an indefinite period if the demands made by the Samiti are not met.