Bhubaneswar: Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Monday said the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) may carry out an inspection of the Ratna Bhandar in a day or two before beginning its much-needed repair. However, ASI sources said the inspection may not take place before the end of the month.
“All the valuables of Ratna Bhandar’s inner and outer chambers have been shifted to two separate strongrooms inside the shrine.The ASI will inspect the structural safety of the two chambers in a day or two and send a proposal to the govt, outlining the scope and requirement of work. The repair work will start after that,” Harichandan said, adding that the govt would issue a standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure that daily rituals and darshan are not affected.
ASI sources said the inspection may not take place before July 27. The ASI functionaries from across the country, including Odisha, are currently in Delhi for the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. The event is scheduled to end on July 31.
“Senior officers from Odisha are likely to return on July 26 after making a presentation of their papers at the global event. The inspection of Ratna Bhandar will take place only after they return,” a senior ASI officer told TOI over phone from Delhi.
Ratna Bhandar was reopened by the govt after 46 years on July 14 for its repair and inventory. ASI officials had found cracks on the walls and ceiling in the inner chamber during a preliminary inspection.

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