VHP to fast-track temple material work

LUCKNOW: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad is all set to fast-track the work on chiselling of stone slabs at the Shri Ramjanmbhoomi Nyas Karyashaala (workshop) in Ayodhya after the festive occasion of Diwali.

The VHP decision comes in the backdrop of the Supreme Court setting the deadline of October 18 to complete hearing in the ongoing Ram Janmabhoomi –Babri Masjid title suit dispute.

“Around 65 percent of the work related with chiselling of stone slabs has already been completed. Only 35 percent work remains which will be completed when the work resumes after Diwali,” said Sharad Sharma, regional spokesperson, VHP, who operates from Karsevakpuram, Ayodhya.

Since the Yogi Adityanath government took over the reins in Uttar Pradesh in March 2017, work has picked up pace again. "Twenty truckloads of stone, a total of 4,000 cubic feet, came between August and November last year," said Sharma. Most of the stone-slabs have already arrived at the Karyashaala.

Around 70,000 cubic feet of it would come on around 500 trucks as and when required. The temple would involve a total of 1.75 lakh cubic feet of stone.

"Most of the work has already been done here. But some delicate and intricate stone carving work, including idols, will be done on the site because it will be difficult and risky to transport them from the workshop to the site," added Sharma. There are piles and piles of carved stone pillars, ceiling slabs, floor slabs and slabs for

› Around 65 percent of the work related with chiselling of stone slabs has already been completed. Only 35 percent work remains which will be completed when the work resumes after Diwali SHARAD SHARMA, regional spokesperson, VHP

steps—all red stone, all around the workshop for the proposed Ram Mandir.

The distance between the workshop and the proposed site, that is, Ramjanmbhoomi is 3 kilometre.

The workshop has two giant stone cutters to cut stones into desired sized slabs. There is a shed as a workplace from the stone-carvers. In the middle of the workshop is a wooden model of the proposed temple. And on a side, there are quarters for workshop staff and artisans

Around 10-12 workers are engaged there only for cleaning of already chiselled slabs.

Artisans from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Mirzapur are expected to arrive to complete the remaining work of chiselling of stones.