The Archaeological Survey of India on Thursday was granted five more weeks to complete the excavation work at the disputed site in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

The order came on  Thursday afternoon on an application moved by the ASI before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court.

"Excavations should be done expeditiously. However, in view of the importance of the issue, we grant five weeks more for completion and submission of the excavation work," the court said and added: "The ASI may engage additional staff , superintending or assistant archaeologists and labourers for the purpose."

The Allahabad HC is hearing a title suit on the disputed land and has asked the ASI to give its opinion on whether a temple existed at the spot where the Babri Masjid stood before it was pulled down by Hindu zealots on December 6, 1992. The demolition had triggered India' worst communal riots.

Zafaryab Jilani , the counsel for Sunni Central Waqf Board, which has staked its claim to the disputed site, said: "The court has given reasonable time."