the world famous ancient caves of Ajanta and Ellora are all set to go hi-tech -- complete with lasers and computers and fibre glass techniques. The Archaeological Survey of India (asi) has come out with an ambitious plan to recreate the pristine glory of these priceless vestiges of the country's history and to protect them from the assault of time. The asi plan envisages the creation of a few reduced-to-size fibre glass caves, with their wall replete with laser simulated computer images of some of the best paintings and sculptures in the original caves. And unlike the real sculptures and paintings, which require extreme care and caution in their handling, these simulated image will have the expert touch of historians and archaeologists to transform them into "as close to the original as possible form," according the asi director general Ajai Shankar.
The first phase of the project will be implemented at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore. The entire project, which includes preservation of paintings and sculptures in the caves and the area development and site management around them, has been worked out by the asi at Rs 40 crore.
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