Chhatar Manzil’s restoration work to begin soon

LUCKNOW:The stalled restoration and beautification work of Chhatar Manzil is set to take off soon as the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has given the green signal, to the fresh estimate of the complete conservation work which is aimed at bringing back the monument’s lost glory.

Officials of Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (UPRNN), the construction agency associated with the project, said the revised estimate had been forwarded to Uttar Pradesh State Archaeological Department (UPSAD) for further clearance. The fresh estimate is of around ₹18 crore. “Stalled work would start soon after the estimate gets clearances from the government,” a UPSAD officer said.

It is said the fresh estimate covers all that the iconic Nawabi era structure needs. Officials said this estimate was based on the guidelines of faculty of architecture, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, the consultants in Chhatar Manzil’s restoration and conservation project.

It has been chalked out on the basis of the priority works that the structure needs. It is also as per the recommendations of a special team that includes retired ASI officials, a team from the structural engineering division of civil engineering department, IIT, BHU and other experts.

“Unlike the previous ones, the fresh plan largely focuses on the Chhatar Manzil’s strengthening that would be carried out on priority basis,” said an official engaged in the project.

Previous plans, he said, were based more on the beautification whereas the fresh action plan had focus on the strengthening part.

Once it is strengthened, the construction agencies and the consultancy firm plan to give the fading structure the original look it donned in the year 1862, after it was restored to conceal the damage caused to it during the First War of Independence.

Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (UPRNN) officials said the 1862 look would bring back the lost glory to the nawabi era structure. Sandeep Singh, the project engineer of UPRNN said they had also procured a rare photograph of Chhatar Manzil that was shot by English photographer Charles Shepherd and Arthur Robertson in 1862.

It is a south view of the structure that highlights both Chhatar Manzil and Kothi

Farhat Baksh (adjacent to it) in great detail.

The entire restoration of the structure is likely to be carried out on the same pattern.