Ayodhya: The much-awaited excavation at the acquired land in Ayodhya to find out whether a temple existed beneath the demolished structure is all set to begin on March 12, even as the Allahabad High Court directed a fresh survey of the area before the commencement of digging in the presence of all contesting parties.

Joint director general of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) R H Bisht specially flew down from Delhi to supervise the work, which would be preceded by a general survey of the site and layout of trenches in the presence of the contesting parties, their counsel or nominees at 10:00 hours (IST) on March 12.

The excavation is likely to begin on March 12 afternoon slightly behind the original schedule in the wake of the court order. It will begin from the Southern-most site of 'Ramchabootara', outside the 40/80 ft makeshift temple where the idol of Ramlalla is consecrated.

On a petition by the Sunni Central Wakf Board, the Lucknow Bench of the High Court directed authorities that a general survey of the site as well as layout of trenches should commence at 10:00 hours (IST) in the presence of the contesting parties or their counsels or nominees.

In another direction, the court sought periodical progress reports of the work to the court without any briefing or disclosure of the same to the media and to maintain transparency.

PTI