Cuttack, Nov 6 (PTI) The Orissa High Court on Monday directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to explain why the repair of 'Natamandap' at the Jagannath Temple in Puri has not been finished despite it assuring in April 2017 that the work would be completed in four months.

A division bench of acting Chief Justice BR Sarangi and Justice Murahari Sri Raman directed the ASI to file an affidavit, elaborately explaining its position by the next date of hearing, November 8.

Also Read | Earthquake in Uttarakhand: Quake of Magnitude 5.6 Jolts Pithoragarh, No Casualty Reported.

"It is a matter of regret that in spite of the directions given by this court in the year 2017, till date, the repair work of 'Natamandap' has not yet been completed," the court said.

The court refused to acknowledge the ASI's assertions that the repair work was handed over to IIT-Madras, and the delay was because of the institute.

Also Read | Maratha Reservation Row: Activist Manoj Jarange-Patil Targets Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Says He Is Losing OBC Base.

"By this process, five years have elapsed, and therefore, this Court takes serious view of the matter," it said.

During the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Puri-based activist Abhisek Das, the ASI had in April 2017 assured the court that the repair work of the 'Natamandap' or dance hall would be completed within four months.

Amicus curiae NK Mohanty has also, in his status report to the court, indicated that due to inaction of the ASI and also that of IIT-Madras, the repair work was not progressing.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)