Chattar Manzil restoration begins

LUCKNOW: The Chattar Manzil’s much awaited restoration work finally saw the light of the day as UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (UPRNN), the construction agency for the project, got on with the job on Thursday.

Officials with the state archaeological department (the custodian of Chattar Manzil) said it was expected that the structure would get back its lost sheen. In the initial stage, UPRNN’s restoration drive includes the demolition of ‘illegal’ structures that are hindering the site’s view.

“The building has many ‘illegal’ structures that were add-ons to the original structure. The agency is demolishing all these,” an official with the UPSAD said.

Officials said the ‘illegal’ structures largely include ‘elevator structure’, which the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) that acquired the building in 1950, had set up as per its convenience. “It was a huge structure, comprising elevator channel and balconies. It’s actually a blot on the monument and obstructs the monument’s riverfront view,” added the officer.

The agency will also remove the unwanted structures within the monument. “The CDRI had set up several structures like partitions and offices that spoiled the beauty of the monument,” the officer said. This would be followed by consolidation work. Officials said the process would comprise maintenance of the huge girders, dilapidated walls, strengthening of ceilings and their waterproofing. The restoration work, being carried out with an amount of Rs 1.80 crore, is part of the state archaeology department’s (UPSAD) ambitious project aimed at infusing new life into the fading monument. This includes transformation of the building into a state-of-the-art-museum.

PK Singh, deputy director UPSAD, said the demolition work is on and it will take a few months to bring the monument to its original shape.