Cuttack: A case has been filed in Orissa High Court seeking direction to Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to take up repair of Nata Mandap of Jagannath temple in Puri immediately.
Abhisek Das, who had filed a PIL for repair and conservation of the temple in 2016, has filed the case on the basis of the report of amicus curae NK Mohanty. Das has pointed out that the ASI had submitted to the court that the repair work in the Nata Mandap had been completed but did not mention about any serious threat to the structure.
Later, amicus curae, in his report submitted on August 14, 2023, stated that there was threat to the Nata Mandap from a crack in a beam inside it. It was also mentioned that the structure may face accident at any time.
Considering the report of amicus curae, the petitioner appealed to the court to direct the ASI to carry out the repair work of the damaged beam inside the Nata Mandap and submit the status report on progress of the work every month.
It may be mentioned that the High Court has scheduled the next hearing of the original PIL on September 13.