KENDRAPARA: The renovation work of century-old colonial building at Hukitola island in the Bay of Bengal of Kendrapara district undertaken by Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) under the World Bank sponsored Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) programme was reviewed recently.
Former superintendent of State Archaeology and State Archives, Bhubaneswar and consultant of INTACH Dr BK Rath inspected the renovation work being carried out with an aim to conserve the building and draw more visitors. Started in May, the renovation will be completed before March 2016. The State Government has granted `1.2 crore for the purpose to INTACH under ICZM project after the decision to start restoration works was taken last year.
“We are doing chemical conservation of the historic building while trying to retain its 19th century ambience,” Dr Rath said. During the first phase of restoration work, the lime-plastered brick-and-mortar structure which had developed cracks and the damaged roof and staircases are being repaired. The building will be fitted with doors, windows and arches in the second phase. The underground rain water harvesting system will also be renovated.
“We have already replaced many iron beams with new ones. Unwanted growth has been removed. Conventional mixture of lime mortar, jaggery and sand is being used for restoration so that the structure does not become weak. Labourers specialising in restoration works have been engaged,” Dr Rath said.
As per the building record of British India, Hukitola building including a post office and refuse house covers 6,836 square feet. It has six large rooms and three small chambers. While its length is 125 feet, breadth is 63 feet and height 30 feet. It was constructed in 1888 to store rice arriving from Burma and other places during the infamous Na’anka drought. It was built with laterite stones taken from Barabati fort at Cuttack.
A researcher of Kendrapara Dr Basudev Das said the colonial building has been lying in a dilapidated condition for decades since the forest guard, who was in-charge of the building, died in 1978.