The state department of archaeology has revised the proposal for conservation of the crumbling hill around the Gad mandir or temple at Ramtek. The public works department (PWD) has now included the Vidarbha Heritage Society (VHS) as consultant for the project expected to be taken up at the earliest following directives by the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court in a PIL.
The new proposal suggests construction of just one retaining wall instead of the earlier suggested three level walls, and use of lime as against cement in the construction.
Anand Bhoyar, assistant director of the department's Nagpur office, told TOI that the department would be taking up the conservation work as soon as the rainy season ends. The fresh proposal has already been prepared and sent to PWD. "Though rocks from the hill are falling only on the south side, in a stretch of around 10 meters, conservation is urgently required. We have appointed VHS architects, who suggested use of lime instead of cement and single wall instead of three levels. This will reduce cost as well," said Bhoyar. The department has already received the money for the project.
VHS secretary Avantika Chitnavis says that use of lime would increase the life of the structure. "The retaining wall will be resting on a ledge. We would be using sandstone and lime for the wall. The work won't involve breaking any rocks and will prevent rocks or stones falling from the hill. We will also ensure prevention of water seepage," she said.
Pradumnya Sahashrabhojnee, an executive committee member of VHS, and Chitnavis are now jointly handling the project as architects. The new plan involves some minor changes which will be finalized soon before sending the proposal for government clearance.
State environment and cultural affairs minister Sanjay Deotale and Ramtek MLA Ashish Jaiswal held a meeting on July 11 on the Ramtek temple conservation issue with the department.
Bhoyar said after this meeting the department has forwarded a proposal to develop 12 sites including some gates and temples. These include the Varaha, Sirpur, Bhaisar, Gokud and Bhairav gates, and the Ramkund, Dashrath, Sumitramata, Kaushalyamata, Satyanarayan and Laxminarayan temples. The plan will also improve the fortification wall and the Karpur bawdi, besides developing pathways and beautification work.
The Ram or gad mandir is supposed to be about 800 years old while the Varaha, Keval Narsimgha, Rudra Narsimgha and Boghram temples are around 14-15,000 years old. Bhoyar said that at present conservation work on Ambala tank and monuments is going on.
The new proposal suggests construction of just one retaining wall instead of the earlier suggested three level walls, and use of lime as against cement in the construction.
Anand Bhoyar, assistant director of the department's Nagpur office, told TOI that the department would be taking up the conservation work as soon as the rainy season ends. The fresh proposal has already been prepared and sent to PWD. "Though rocks from the hill are falling only on the south side, in a stretch of around 10 meters, conservation is urgently required. We have appointed VHS architects, who suggested use of lime instead of cement and single wall instead of three levels. This will reduce cost as well," said Bhoyar. The department has already received the money for the project.
VHS secretary Avantika Chitnavis says that use of lime would increase the life of the structure. "The retaining wall will be resting on a ledge. We would be using sandstone and lime for the wall. The work won't involve breaking any rocks and will prevent rocks or stones falling from the hill. We will also ensure prevention of water seepage," she said.
Pradumnya Sahashrabhojnee, an executive committee member of VHS, and Chitnavis are now jointly handling the project as architects. The new plan involves some minor changes which will be finalized soon before sending the proposal for government clearance.
State environment and cultural affairs minister Sanjay Deotale and Ramtek MLA Ashish Jaiswal held a meeting on July 11 on the Ramtek temple conservation issue with the department.
Bhoyar said after this meeting the department has forwarded a proposal to develop 12 sites including some gates and temples. These include the Varaha, Sirpur, Bhaisar, Gokud and Bhairav gates, and the Ramkund, Dashrath, Sumitramata, Kaushalyamata, Satyanarayan and Laxminarayan temples. The plan will also improve the fortification wall and the Karpur bawdi, besides developing pathways and beautification work.
The Ram or gad mandir is supposed to be about 800 years old while the Varaha, Keval Narsimgha, Rudra Narsimgha and Boghram temples are around 14-15,000 years old. Bhoyar said that at present conservation work on Ambala tank and monuments is going on.
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