CUTTACK: The Orissa high court has set March 11 as the date for considering the Archaeological Survey of India 's (ASI)'s affidavit which has apparently vindicated contentions that measures undertaken for the conservation of the Sun Temple in Konark so far, are inadequate.In the affidavit, ASI has conceded that there is need for conservation of the Konark Temple by way of filling of sand inside the Jagamohan, strengthening of projected roof stones, quantitative assessment of chemical conservation work, re-conducting of laser scanning and improvement of the drainage system. In recent years, the temple complex has seen severe water-logging during monsoon.The ASI has in the affidavit further admitted that 40 days to six months is needed to be ready with the methods for adopting the conservation measures.The high court intervened in the matter following a PIL alleging inadequacy in the protection of the temple. A city-based lawyer Dillip Mohapatra had filed the petition in 2016. "The PIL was scheduled to be taken up on February 18 along with the ASI's affidavit.Accordingly, the affidavit was filed on that day. But the case could not be taken up as it did not reach the court for hearing. Taking note of it, the division bench of Chief Justice KS Jhaveri and Justice KR Mohapatra has posted the matter to March 11 for hearing along with the ASI director general's affidavit, central government counsel Chandrakanta Pradhan told TOI.According to the affidavit in possession of this paper, a steering committee meeting on the conservation and preservation of the Sun Temple in Konark was held in New Delhi on February 12. The decision on conservation, line-up action and the timeline was recommended in the meeting.In the affidavit, ASI's director general Usha Sharma said the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee which was engaged for the detailed structural investigation of the monument had recommended the filling of sand inside the Jagamohan, but needed three to four months' time to work out a methodology.The CBRI had suggested strengthening of the projected pidha (roof) stones and it is expected to come up with a a modified supporting scheme, which will suit the architecture of the monument within three months, Sharma said in the affidavit.

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