State to set up committee to preserve cave temples

The Bombay High Court directed the Maharashtra government to appoint a committee to study the conditions of cave temples in the state and submit the report within four weeks.

The division bench of Chief Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice D Y Chandrachud on Wednesday directed that a senior person from Archaeological Survey of India head the committee.

Others to be included in the committee are additional municipal commissioner, representatives of Bombay Environmental Action Group and the Bombay Heritage Committee.

The direction came following a Public Interest Litigation filed by a Non-Governmental Organisation Janhit Manch stating the dismal condition of ancient caves at Mahakali, Mandapeshwar, Jogeshwari and Kanheri.

The PIL seeks conservation, security and removal of encroachment at these caves that have been designated as national monuments. It also seeks finances from the state for the maintenance of these caves.