Archaeology dept to conserve Moti Mahal
The state directorate of archaeology, archives and museums would be conserving the historic Moti Mahal, the adjoining gateway and the durbaar hall of the nearby Sadar Manzil.
The state directorate of archaeology, archives and museums would be conserving the historic Moti Mahal, the adjoining gateway and the durbaar hall of the nearby Sadar Manzil.
A part of roof of the 150-year old Moti Mahal had collapsed on July 27, weakening the structure and the adjoining gateway connecting Moti Mahal with the Shaukat Mahal.
Moti Mahal and Shaukat Mahal are parts of the important structures forming the royal quadrangle surrounding the Iqbal Maidan (earlier Khirniwala Maidan).
HT had reported the roof collapse on July 29, mentioning that the collapse had also further weakened the gateway under which huge traffic passes every day.
The gateway joining the Moti Mahal and Shaukat Mahal was already in a dilapidated state, with one of its part having collapsed a few years ago.
Reacting to the HT story, the directorate of archaeology swung into action along with the district administration and recently took decision to conserve the Moti Mahal, the gateway and the durbaar hall of the Sadar Manzil. “We would be starting the conservation work soon, after issuing the required notification next week,” commissioner of archaeology, archives and museum, Pankaj Rag told HT.
The commissioner said that revenue records were sought from the district administration to ascertain the ownership of the structures before the conservation decision was taken.
Moti Mahal does not have a private ownership as of now and the department of posts and telegraph has agreed to vacate the part of the premises that it is occupying, Rag mentioned.
He said that the Shaukat Mahal was also considered for conservation, but it is in private possession and there is dispute about ownership.