Dhenkanal: All developmental work in the famous Shiva shrine of Kapilas in this district came to a halt after the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) directed the district administration to stop the ongoing renovation and repair works in the hill temple, a report said Saturday.
The repair and restoration works were being undertaken at a cost of about Rs 1.5 crore. The ASI wrote a letter to the district administration and the endowment department two weeks back asking them to stop all the developmental work in the hill shrine.
The ASI has even warned of legal action if the administration and the department failed to comply with its order. This has led to resentment among the devotees and residents who flayed the ASI for its ‘step-motherly attitude’ towards the ancient shrine.
According to reports, the ASI was entrusted with the task of carrying out developmental works in the shrine 11 years ago. As per rule, once ASI takes over the charge of a shrine no government or private agency can carry out any similar developmental works in the shrine.
However, a host of problems continued to plague the hill shrine despite the ASI taking over its charge. The scarcity of drinking water and lack of toilet facilities for women devotees were the major problems. Visitors faced problems due to lack of basic facilities at the shrine in the holy months of Kartik and Shravan and during Mahashivaratri and the picnic season from October to January.
The district administration and the endowment department authorities drew the attention of the ASI towards the problems several times, but to no avail. The ASI despite being aware of these issues never took up any developmental works in the shrine, it was alleged.
After repeated demands, the district administration in consultation with the endowment department launched a drinking water project at a cost of Rs 54 lakh and constructed toilets, staircases of Harihar mutt and lighting facilities at a cost of Rs 50 lakh. The drinking water project was expected to get completed by November end and the rest in subsequent phases. .
However, all these works have stopped following the ASI order. As the drinking water project could not be abandoned midway the ASI authorities have asked the administration to submit a master plan and get its approval before resuming work on the project.
When contacted, Dhenkanal Collector Nikhil Pawan Kalyan said all developmental works have stopped except the drinking water project after receiving a letter from the ASI. He said the administration will submit a master plan to the ASI and get its approval before resuming the abandoned work on other projects like toilet construction, staircase building and lightning facilities.
PNN