Surat: A special committee has been formed to ensure that the foundation of Ram temple which is under development in Ayodhya will intact for the next 1,000 years. An eight-member Ram temple foundation design committee will provide geological guidelines.
One among the members is Surat’s Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology director Shailesh Gandhi. He said the temple will be constructed without using steel in such a fashion that the structure will be earthquake-proof. Gandhi who hails from Bhavnagar is an expert in civil engineering.
“I am very happy that I have been nominated to the technical team formed for the foundation of the Ramjanmabhoomi temple. There are seven other members of the team who will work on soil testing and a strong foundation. The design would be such that the temple will remain safe for 1,000 years," Gandhi said.
Team to submit technical report in two weeks
The strength of the foundation of the temple is determined by the soil ability to bear the load of the structure. If the structure's load exceeds a particular limit it would distrack the structure.
"We are working on the plan keeping these two factors in mind. We will examine the fault in the soil and ways to correct the fault. We are discussing the design of the foundation and the final design will be submitted to the trust by two weeks. After which the final design will be prepared." he said.
Steel may not be used
Gandhi said commonly reinforced concrete is used in the construction of buildings and other structures. "There are steel rods inside such structures. Such structures can develop cracks because of steel. Therefore, if the foundation needs to withstand for 1000 years, one cannot use steel. In the ancient temples, neither RCC nor steel was used. At present we are discussing whether to use lime as the ancient temples did," said Gandhi.
There are very few 1,000 years old temples
He said the design of the temple has been prepared by Ahmedabad-based architect Ashish Sompura. We will prepare the design of the foundation on the basis of the settlement requirement proposed by him. There are very few temples 1,000 years old. We are studying the foundation of such temples. But it is not necessary to accept that foundation theory.
He said India is prone to having the maximum intensity of earthquakes on the Richter scale. "We are studying the possibility of earthquake in the Ramjanmabhoomi area after which the design of the temple will be prepared. The design will be such that no earthquake of any magnitude will have an impact on the structure of the temple for 1,000 years," Gandhi said.
Earthquakes can impact the super structure or the foundation. During the earthquake in Bhuj, many buildings had collapsed. Here we will take extra care in preparing an earthquake-proof temple design.
Our committee will submit its report to the trust within a week or two. The trust will then take a final call on the design of the foundation of the temple after consulting experts.
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