Odisha Signs MoUs With IIT Kharagpur And SPA Bhopal For Conservation Of Heritage Structures
Odisha partners with institutes to digitise and conserve heritage sites.
In a significant move to strengthen heritage conservation efforts, the Odisha State Archaeology Department has signed non-financial Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur and the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Bhopal. The agreements were formalised during a special event held in Bhubaneswar on Friday, aimed at integrating modern technology with traditional conservation practices.
The collaboration with IIT Kharagpur focuses on the use of advanced scientific tools for documentation and preservation of heritage sites across the state. Technologies such as LiDAR scanning, 3D documentation, structural analysis, digital mapping, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and remote sensing will be deployed to study and monitor monuments. Officials said the initiative will also encourage research, innovation, and interdisciplinary approaches in archaeological and heritage science.
Under the second MoU, SPA Bhopal will assist the Odisha government in heritage planning, conservation architecture, museum and exhibition design, and detailed architectural documentation. The institute will also provide technical advisory support and conduct capacity-building programmes aimed at training professionals involved in heritage preservation and site management across the state.
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Odisha Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the partnerships mark a transformative step in safeguarding the state’s rich cultural and architectural legacy. He noted that nearly 82 monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and around 212 sites managed by the Odisha State Archaeology Department are expected to benefit from the initiative through improved scientific conservation and systematic documentation.
The minister emphasised that Odisha’s temples, monuments, and historic structures hold immense cultural significance and require long-term protection through modern and sustainable methods. He added that the collaboration would ensure better safety measures, preservation strategies, and public awareness about the importance of heritage sites for future generations.
In a related development, officials announced that under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, 10 students from Odisha will be selected for internship opportunities at IIT Kharagpur in the field of heritage and architectural conservation. The event also saw the unveiling of the official logo of the Odisha State Archaeology Department, marking a symbolic step toward modernising the state’s heritage preservation framework.
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