British-era lamp damaged, another being used for traffic diversion
Two of the four lamps installed around All Saints Cathedral have fallen prey to negligence
PRAYAGRAJ : Two of the four British Era lamps installed around All Saints Cathedral have fallen prey to negligence. One of them went missing earlier and was later found being used for traffic diversion. Another lamp was found razed to the ground under mysterious circumstances recently on Monday.
Prominent citizens and members of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage INTACH (Prayagraj Chapter) have now appealed for their preservation as well as conservation of the remaining two lamps still standing.
Convener of INTACH Shambhu Chopra said the four
The damaged British Era lamp.
gas lamps were donated by eminent Parsi and British families of Allahabad back in 1926. Shambhu Chopra said the beautiful lamps in those times used to light the four crossings around the All Saints Cathedral.
The lamps used to work on gas system and an employee was roped in for lighting the lamps every evening.
The lamps were lit through electric bulbs around a decade back but are now defunct. Now in dilapidated condition the lamps are still part of the rich heritage of the city.
It is unfortunate that they have fallen prey to negligence and official apathy.
“One of the lamps installed at Bishop Johnson College crossing went missing some times back. I later found it being used for traffic diversion on Mahatma Gandhi Marg. Unfortunately, another pillar of the lamp which was donated by Ardesher Guzder, who used to run ice-cream business in those days was found razed to the ground on Sunday morning.
The marble plate informing about installation of the lamp was also broken along with the pillar” lamented Vaibhav , a member of INTACH.
Municipal Commissioner Ravi Ranjan too denied having knowledge about the damaged lamp but said that he will ensure that the broken lamp’s pillar and the marble plate is kept at a safe place.
Convener of INTACH Shambhu Chopra said the organisation has written several times to senior officials including district magistrate and divisional commissioner regarding conservation of the heritage lamps but to no avail. Now the organization will write to senior authorities in Lucknow for preservation of heritage lamps and other monuments in Sangam City and will also file PIL if needed, Chopra further said.
One of the lamps installed at Bishop Johnson College crossing went missing some times back. I later found it being used for traffic diversion VAIBHAV, a member of INTACH