The onset of the monsoon has brought significant challenges to Uttar Pradesh, specifically affecting the newly constructed Ram Mandir and Ram Path. These issues include alleged leakages, road cave-ins, waterlogging, and potholes.
Flooding and Road Damage
On June 23 and June 25, heavy rains led to the flooding of approximately 15 bylanes and streets along the Ram Path, a mere six months after its construction. Homes along the road were also submerged. Portions of the 14-kilometer stretch of Ram Path caved in at more than a dozen locations, raising concerns about the construction quality and planning.
Temple Leakages and Allegations
Reports of leakages within the Ram Mandir emerged last Saturday at midnight. Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, alleged negligence in the temple’s construction, highlighting the absence of a proper drainage system to manage rainwater within the temple premises. He urged the temple authorities to implement necessary corrective measures.
Trust’s Clarification
In response, Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Ram Temple Trust, clarified on Thursday that no water had dripped from the roof in the sanctum sanctorum where Lord Ram is seated. He explained that water had entered through junction boxes and conduit pipes, giving the appearance of ceiling leaks. He assured that the flooring of the first floor would become completely watertight, preventing water from reaching the lower floors.
Rai also mentioned that a well-planned drainage system for rainwater management within the temple and park complex is underway. He emphasized that the entire Ram Janmabhoomi complex has been designed for zero water discharge outside, with recharge pits being constructed to store rainwater within the complex.
जय श्रीराम!
श्रीराम जन्मभूमि मंदिर में वर्षाकाल के दौरान छत से पानी टपकने के संदर्भ में कुछ तथ्य आपके सामने रख रहा हूँ।
पहली बात तो यह है कि गर्भगृह में जहाँ भगवान रामलला विराजमान है, वहाँ एक भी बूंद पानी छत से नही टपका है, और न ही कही से पानी गर्भगृह में प्रवेश हुआ है।— Champat Rai (@ChampatRaiVHP) June 26, 2024
Construction Committee's Rejection of Seepage Claims
Nripendra Mishra, Chairman of the Ram Temple Construction Committee, dismissed the allegations of rainwater seepage into the sanctum sanctorum. He clarified that rainwater had descended through pipes installed for electric wires. Mishra assured that the issue would be resolved once the second-floor roof construction is completed, preventing rainwater from entering the temple.
Government Action: Suspension of Officials
In light of the road cave-ins and waterlogging, the Uttar Pradesh government has suspended six officials from civic agencies for gross negligence. The suspended officials include:
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Dhruv Aggarwal (Executive Engineer)
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Anuj Deshwal (Assistant Engineer)
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Prabhat Pandey (Junior Engineer) from the Public Works Department (PWD)
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Anand Kumar Dubey (Executive Engineer)
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Rajendra Kumar Yadav (Assistant Engineer)
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Mohammad Shahid (Junior Engineer) from the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam
Contractor Notice and Ongoing Investigation
These suspensions were ordered by various authorities, including special secretary Vinod Kumar, PWD chief engineer VK Srivastav, and Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam managing director Rakesh Kumar Mishra. The government has also issued a notice to the Ahmedabad-based contractor, Bhuvan Infracom Private Limited, regarding the matter.
The PWD’s office noted that the uppermost layer of the Ram Path was damaged shortly after its construction, indicating laxity in the work done under the top priority project of the Uttar Pradesh government, thereby damaging the state's image. A further investigation is ongoing, as stated by PWD principal secretary Ajay Chauhan.
The issues faced by the newly constructed Ram Mandir and Ram Path following the monsoon rains have highlighted significant concerns regarding construction quality and planning. While the temple authorities and government officials have taken steps to address these problems, ongoing investigations and corrective measures will be crucial to restoring public confidence and ensuring the durability of these important structures.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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