Ayodhya: Lord Ram to get fireproof cover

Idols of Lord Ram, Janki and Laxman in the makeshift temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya would soon get a fireproof cover to be prepared by Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee.

"We have have already roped in IIT-R authorities and given them Rs 11.4 lakh as advance to prepare a fireproof cover," Surya Prakash Mishra, Divisional Commissioner, Faziabad, who is also the receiver of the site, told PTI.

He said before going ahead with the plan, an expert team of IIT-R would visit the site.

"The expert team from IIT-R is expected to visit the site on August 30," Mishra said.

The move came after the Supreme Court ordered replacement of "old and worn out" tarpaulin sheet, ropes and other materials with new ones at the makeshift Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

A bench headed by Justice T S Thakur had said, "We direct that the authorised person/Commissioner Faizabad is permitted to replace the old and worn out tarpaulin sheet, jute matting, bamboo, polythene sheet and ropes over the makeshift structure by new ones of the same size and quality and exactly in the same manner as they were previously placed."

The Commissioner said that while waterproof tarpaulin was installed last year, the fireproof material was too old and was in a poor condition and needed replacement.

"The waterproof tarpaulin was installed last year, but it got worn out due to weather," he said.

He said the basic material was fireproof cover.

"One can get waterproof material anywhere in the market for Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000, but installing fireproof cover needed expertise. Therefore, we contacted IIT-R," Mishra said.

He said the remaining materials include bamboos, ropes, jute matting, polythene sheet and ropes to protect the makeshift structure.

The process of replacement of the old cover by the new one will be undertaken and completed under supervision of two observers who have been visiting the site, the bench, also comprising Justices V R Gopala Gowda and R Banumathi, had ruled.

Earlier, the apex court had asked the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government to consider providing better amenities feasible in the present scenario to pilgrims at 'Ram Janma Bhoomi' site near the disputed structure at Ayodhya.

"Let us do something. If possible, do something for the upkeep of the place and provide facilities for visitors," it observed.

The court had asked the Centre to file its response to the application filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy seeking facilities for the pilgrims.

Swamy had submitted that pilgrims, who are devotees of Lord Rama, were deprived of even basic facilities like drinking water and toilets and faced difficulty due to inadequate arrangements made by both the Centre and the UP government.