The forts in the city which bear the mark of a bygone era have been longing for a redemption for sometime now. Even the new found treasures in the abode of Lord Padmanabha couldn’t save them from the ill-fate. But after much delay, almost one-and-a-half years after the initial plans were drawn up, the Kerala State Archaeology Department is all set to undertake the conservation of ‘kotta vathilukal’ (fort gates) and ‘kotta mathilukal’ (fort walls) surrounding the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple from next week.
The Department of Culture had sanctioned a Rs one crore project for the conservation of the heritage structures that run almost 3 km within the purview of the Lord’s temple. Among the forts - East Fort (directly opposite to the main entrance of Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple), Pazhaya Angadi Fort or the Ganapathy fort (Vadakke Kotta), Vettimuricha Kotta, West Fort and Thekke Kotta (which is a miniature fort) - only East Fort looks better off. Even there, the decorative fencing on its sides have come off.
‘’The side protection has come out at many places in the case of fort gates. We will use plastered lime or whatever traditional materials that have been used in the structures to conserve them. In the case of fort walls also, the granite has come off at many places as in the walls covering the Central Archives office or the ‘pazhaya jail’ compound,’’ said V S Satheesh, conservation engineer with the Archaeology Department.
The plight of Vettimuricha Kotta is more pitiable. The huge carrier lorries, transporting vehicles from other states, which make a turning here have been the reason for bringing down many a brick on its sides. With no night patrolling now, (earlier, the Department used to carry out patrolling) things are even more messy. The interlocking granites which have been fixed using earth filling have come off at many places, which would be restored.
‘’Owing to some technical snags, the conservation was held up. But we have awarded the work now and it will start next week itself. We need the help of the Police, the Corporation and the Traffic to carry out works at many places. We are communicating with them in this regard,’’ said J Rejikumar, Director-in-charge of the State Archaeology Department.
The footpaths that once used to surround the fort walls have also gone missing at many points which would be restored. There is water seepage at many places which would be dealt with. According to historians, there are nine openings or fort gates similar to the ‘navadwarangal’ - nine openings in the human body. But some are miniature structures and do not fall under the protected monuments of the Department.