CHENNAI: The experts committee formed to examine the stability of the Chepauk palace which was gutted in fire on January 15, on Friday suggested partial restoration and partial replica of the portions damaged by fire.However, based on the detailed report submitted by the committee, the Chief Minister will be taking the final decision soon, after consultation with engineers of the PWD.Sources said the committee is of the view that that since the central portion of the hall cannot be restored, it had to be pulled down and a replica of that part could be raised. With regard to the other portions, they can be restored.The committee had examined the possibility whether the building could be restored or if a replica of the original building could be constructed again. Prof A R Santhakumar of Anna University, R Gopalakrishanan, engineer in chief (buildings) of the Public Works Department, C Palanivelu, chief planner of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), who is also a convenor of Heritage Committee of CMDA are members of the committee.It has been estimated that computers, furniture, files and documents belonging to Social Welfare Department and Commercial Taxes Department costing `2.70 crore have been destroyed by the fire. Already, these departments have started functioning in alternative locations.The CM also directed the committee to examine all the government buildings which have heritage value in the city and submit a report on their safety.
Comments
0 comment