Union Culture Secretary Ravindra Singh who visited the world famous Jagannath Temple at Puri on Tuesday assured the temple administration of establishing a unit office of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the city soon to closely supervise the ongoing conservation work of the shrine.
“The Union Culture Secretary after visiting the temple and supervising the conservation work has asked the ASI Director to take measures in opening a unit office of the ASI at Puri soon, keeping the Nabakarabela festival of 2015 in mind,” said Temple Chief Administrator Arvinda Padhee.
Singh too asked the ASI to speed up the conservation and other development activities of the temple in order to finish the work within a stipulated timeframe. “I witnessed the ongoing conservation and other activities being carried out by the ASI at the Puri temple. The Government will take all necessary steps to protect the 12th century shrine,” said Singh.
He also held a meeting with the temple administration authorities and discussed various issues. Puri Collector Dhiren Kumar Patnaik among others attended. Singh later visited the Sun Temple at Konark and supervised the conservation work being undertaken by the ASI.