The sanctum sanctorum of the Ram temple in Ayodhya faced water leakage from the roof following the first heavy showers since its public opening, confirmed Chief Priest Acharya Satyendra Das on Monday. Das expressed concern over what he described as negligence in the temple’s construction, highlighting inadequate drainage arrangements for rainwater. He called upon temple authorities to swiftly address these issues to prevent further damage.
In response to the incident, Nripendra Mishra, chairman of the temple construction committee, visited the site upon receiving reports of the leak. He instructed immediate repairs to the roof and emphasized the importance of making it waterproof, according to temple trust sources.
Speaking separately on the progress of construction, Mishra informed reporters that work on the first floor is currently underway and projected for completion by July. He expressed optimism that the entire temple construction will finish by December.
Acharya Satyendra Das lamented the leak during the heavy rains late Saturday night, noting that water seeped directly above the area where the priest sits before Ram Lalla’s idol, affecting VIP darshan visitors.
Local residents reported severe waterlogging in parts of Ayodhya, including Rampath road and surrounding areas, with incidents of sewer water entering homes. Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi assured that municipal teams were mobilized to address the situation promptly.
Meanwhile, criticism from Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai targeted the ruling BJP, alleging corruption in temple construction and infrastructure projects in Ayodhya. Rai accused the BJP of neglecting proper drainage systems and compromising on construction quality to gain electoral advantage.
Efforts to obtain responses from Public Works Department officials regarding the road collapses and infrastructure issues were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
Key Points
- Water Leakage Incident: The sanctum sanctorum of the Ram temple in Ayodhya experienced water leakage from the roof after heavy showers, raising concerns over construction quality and drainage arrangements.
- Chief Priest’s Concerns: Acharya Satyendra Das criticized what he perceived as negligence in temple construction, emphasizing the surprise and disappointment over such issues in a newly inaugurated and prestigious temple.
- Response from Temple Authorities: Nripendra Mishra, chairman of the temple construction committee, intervened promptly after reports of the leak, instructing repairs to the roof and prioritizing waterproofing measures.
- Construction Progress: Despite setbacks, Mishra provided updates on construction progress, noting ongoing work on the first floor scheduled for completion by July, with the overall temple construction targeted for December.
- Local Impact: Heavy rains also caused severe waterlogging in Ayodhya, particularly on Rampath road and nearby areas, prompting municipal efforts to mitigate the situation and assist affected residents.
- Political Criticism: Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai criticized the ruling BJP, alleging corruption in temple construction and infrastructure projects in Ayodhya, accusing the party of prioritizing electoral gains over quality infrastructure.
- Public Works Department Involvement: Efforts to seek responses from the Public Works Department regarding road collapses and infrastructure concerns were reportedly unsuccessful.
