Rafique Aziz
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: If all goes well, the Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC) with the assistance of the Department of Archaeology (DoA) has plans to conduct a fresh joint survey of the heritage monuments and sites mentioned in the old list that was prepared many years ago.
According to sources, the DoA is voluntarily ready to offer archaeological technical support to the HCC in the preservation of heritage gates and other monuments mentioned in the list as well as those in the custodian of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC), in future. A couple of years ago, the Smart City Office, spent around Rs 4 crores on conserving nine gates and the Clock Tower (in Shahgunj), of the city.
The DoA assistant director Jaya Wahane said, “ There are more than 144 heritage monuments and sites on the heritage list of the HCC. We are ready to offer our expertise to HCC to ensure the conservation work is done through prescribed materials. The old traditional method includes a mixture of lime mortar, black gram dal, jaggery, sugarcane pulp, etc. These ingredients act as binding agents and increase the age of the heritage structure. We are aware that the CSMC through the Smart City Office had preserved the selected gates of the city. Besides, three gates - Delhi Gate, Bhadkal Gate and Makkai Gate are in our custodian. However, we are ready to assist in the survey and extend any kind of technical support to HCC, on approach, in future.”
"In the joint survey with civic authorities and HCC office-bearers, DoA will indicate affected portions, list details of conservation works to be done (minor or major) on a priority basis and how to keep intact the beauty of monument or site, etc. The aim for contribution is to restore the glory of the heritage city which is the tourism capital of Maharashtra," said Wahane.
The Chairman of the HCC Jayant Deshpande said, “ I appreciate the DoA's offer in conserving the city heritage structures. We will sit across the table and plan a resurvey of all the heritage sites on the notified list (along with their conditions and custodianship) and also include new ones onto the list in future.”