Odisha inks pacts with IIT-Kharagpur, SPA-Bhopal for conservation of heritage structures

Bhubaneswar: Odisha State Archaeology signed non-financial memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with IIT-Kharagpur and School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Bhopal, on Friday for conservation of the state’s rich heritage and architectural legacy.The collaboration aims to strengthen the conservation, documentation and development of Odisha’s historical monuments, temples, heritage structures and archaeological sites through the integration of modern science and technology, said an official statement of culture department.Under the partnership with IIT-Kharagpur, advanced technologies such as LiDAR, 3D documentation, structural analysis, digital mapping, Geographic Information System (GIS), remote sensing and scientific conservation methodologies will be utilised for heritage preservation and monitoring. The collaboration will also focus on research, innovation and interdisciplinary knowledge integration in the field of heritage conservation, said the official sources.Similarly, the MoU with SPA-Bhopal will support heritage planning and conservation architecture, museum and exhibition design, architectural documentation, technical advisory support and capacity-building programmes.Culture minister Suryabanshi Suraj said around 82 monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and nearly 212 under the state archaeology would benefit from the initiative.Suraj emphasised that special importance would be given to the safety, protection and long-term conservation of temples, monuments and historic structures across the state.In another significant announcement, 10 students from Odisha will get internship opportunities at IIT-Kharagpur in the field of heritage and architectural conservation under National Education Policy, 2020.During the programme, the official logo of the Odisha State Archaeology was also unveiled.