Sudarsan Pattnaik calls for CM’s intervention in Ratna Bhandar repair issue

Bhubaneswar, June 26: Sudarsan Pattnaik, a member of the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee, addressed a letter to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, urging immediate action from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to repair and maintain the inner Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of Lord Jagannath in Puri.

He emphasized ASI's responsibility to oversee the upkeep of the historic temple, noting that structural issues in the inner chamber were identified as far back as 2018 by ASI's technical committee. Despite recommendations for prompt repairs, no action has been taken over the past six years, potentially worsening the damages.

Pattnaik highlighted concerns that delays could lead to further deterioration, particularly with the upcoming monsoon posing a risk to the temple's overall integrity. He requested the Chief Minister's intervention to instruct ASI to commence repair work immediately.

The appeal follows recent confusion over the opening schedule of the Ratna Bhandar, with the state government clarifying that it had not received any formal proposal from the temple managing committee regarding its opening.