VMC wakes up to monument's plight

Vadodara: The dilapidated portion of Tambekarwada - one of the only two Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monuments in the city - may get a facelift soon.
The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has looking to allow ASI to conduct restoration work on the part that is in a rundown condition. The ASI had been repeatedly asking the VMC to either conduct repair works on the dilapidated portion that even housed a school at one point of time.The ASI has conducted major restoration work on the portion towards the front of the building that has ornate mural paintings inside.
ASI had been pointing it out to the VMC repeatedly that the damaged rear part of the building was leading to seepages of water and affecting the portion that had been restored by it. In the long run, ASI had suspected, this could even cause major damage to the entire structure.
The civic body and the VMC had moved forward towards restoration of the dilapidated building even in 2012. Then the civic body's standing committee had passed a resolution authorizing the municipal commissioner to conduct procedures like signing a memorandum of understanding with the ASI for the work.
It was also decided that the civic body would bear expenses up to an amount of Rs 20lakh for the restoration work. The restored backyard along with the structures there was to be used for an art gallery, a library or similar purposes. But the plan never came through and the condition of the portion in possession of the VMC only worsened.
The fresh proposal brought before the standing committee states that the ASI should be given possession for repair and restoration works. The ASI, however, will have to bear the expenses for the work to be done in the dilapidated portion.