As a stream of the Sarayu river has been found below foundation of Ram temple, the Ram Temple Trust has asked the Indian Institute of Technology to suggest new and better models for the foundation, sources said on Tuesday.
The construction committee of the temple, chaired by former principal secretary to the prime minister Nripendra Misra held deliberations over the matter here on Tuesday, they said.
During the deliberations, it was realised that the existing model for the foundation of the temple was not feasible as a stream of the Sarayu river is flowing below the temple, a source said.
Sources in the ‘Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teertha Kshetra’ trust said IITs have been requested to suggest better models for a strong foundation of the temple.
The foundation work of the Ayodhya temple will start in January, temple is scheduled for completion in 2023.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief Alok Kumar said the process of designing the structure’s foundation pillars was stuck because a stream of the Sarayu river was found flowing underneath a portion of the building.
“When the testing of the pillars was carried out, it was found when pressure was applied, they sank by about four inches. Since, the area is already in a seismic zone, we have decided to come up with a structurally safe option,” he said.
The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerath Kshetra trust is also negotiating to increase the land holding of the complex from the current 70 acres to 108 acres to accommodate a museum, a gathering space and a prayer hall. “We are trying to negotiate with those who own the land around the temple; if they agree to part with the land they will be compensated,” Kumar said.
The construction committee of the temple trust has been deliberating on two options–using vibro stone columns to support rafts on which stones can be placed, and the other is improving the quality and grip of soil by adding engineering mix to it, they added.