Repairs of Bagan pagodas to be started as from January 1

Yangon October 25

Damaged pagodas in Bagan due to the earthquake will be repaired as of January 1, according to the Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Library.

“At present, emergency maintenance works are under way and, the repairs will be carried out in cooperation with local and foreign experts,” said U Thein Lwin, deputydirector general of the Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Library.

“After the emergency maintenance works, major repairs will be undertaken. As from January 1, (we) will start the repairs at the big pagodas. Also, we are making the urgent repairs at the small pagodas. After discussing how to repair the old monuments for their durability, local and foreign experts will collaboratively repair the pagodas. Emergency maintenance works are being undertaken at present. The works which will be done with experts will be started as from January 1,” said the deputy-director general.

To repair the pagodas in Bagan, the Ministry of Religion and Culture has formed the Advisory Team and Technical Expert Team.

Due to the earthquake on August 24, 438 pagodas in the ancient city were damaged. Those damaged pagodas were inspected by the experts from the UNESCO and China.

At present, the traffic flow near some damaged pagodas is temporarily banned not to hamper the strength of the religious edifices.

Thura U Aung Ko, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture, said: “India, China, South Korea, Japan and the European Countries have offered to provide Myanmar with financial and technical assistance.

The Myawady Daily