Zoologist designed structure stands strong

By SNV Sudhir/Visakhapatnam

The municipal authorities first disapproved the plan for this temple in 1982 thinking that the temple structure cannot withstand with bamboos instead steel rods. But the then Municipal Commissioner KV Rao with his personal interest and having confidence upon the design gave a nod for the construction, but no Vizagite knows about this. The temple is none other than the major tourist attraction of the city, the Bhavatarini temple for learning popularly known as 'Kali Temple' on the beach road. The temple is designed on the basis of coral structure using bamboo reinforced cement concrete structure. No steel or iron was used for this construction not even for foundation. The temple, founded by Dayanand Banerjee, was constructed 21 years ago. The foundation, just four feet deep, was laid on sand on a one-foot thick concrete bed instead of the regular columns. Normally if such a huge structure needs to stand on hard soil, it needs at least a seven feet deep foundation and if it is on sand the depth is much more. Despite being right near the sea the structure stands strong without any corrosion.Another interesting fact is that the man who designed this structure is not a civil engineer but a Zoologist, Head of the department of Zoology, Andhra University, Prof A Joseph. The structure is totally against vasthu. The south end has a depression and the northeast is elevated. Being constructed on sand bed it can withstand earthquakes also. Joseph says that Zoology is related to every branch of knowledge and every subject is part and parcel of Zoology. He was inspired by the sea coral and designed accordingly the shape of the temple. Professor says it is animal structural engineering.The construction was started in 1982 and was completed in 1984. Now the present busiest and lovely beach road started developing only after the temple came up here.“ No worker dared to come forward to remove the supporting bamboo beams to the slab, fearing that the slab will collapse since iron was not used anywhere in the construction. I myself with the help of some tribals removed the supporting beams and all the people who anticipated a collapse were shocked to see that it is very strong,” Joseph said.The zoologist used iron in a part of the railing for his own research purpose and it had to be repaired three times because of rust in these years but no other part of this majestic structure underwent major repair. Joseph says that the construction is heat and sound resistant and structurally very safe. Easy to construct, light weight and cheap.