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Plan panel approves Fort conservation project

By Our Staff Reporter

VELLORE March 21 . The Planning Commission has approved a document submitted by the Archaeological Survey of India for conservation of the Vellore Fort at a cost of Rs. 1 crore during the Tenth Plan period.

The ASI, Chennai circle, has already received an allotment of Rs. 20 lakhs for the first Plan year, K.T. Narasimhan, superintending archaeologist, told newspersons here. The works, to be taken up during the five-year period, included plastering of the lower and upper ramparts on the southern side; grill fencing on the northern, western and southern sides, and desilting of the moat.

The ASI was pursuing with the State Government its request for handing back to the organisation the Tippu and Hyder Mahals in the Fort, which were used earlier as a special camp for Sri Lankan Tamil militants. The Government was also requested to remove watchtowers, erected on the western side to strengthen security in the camp after 43 Tamil militants had escaped by digging a tunnel eight years ago.

To a question, he said there was no response from the Government to the ASI request. After giving sufficient notice, the ASI itself would remove the watchtowers.

Mr. Narasimhan said he had also requested the Tamil Nadu Tourism department to get the Fisheries department to vacate the moat so that it could be converted into a tourist spot with a boating facility.

On the major works undertaken in the Chennai circle in the last five years, he said these included replacement in the original positions of three `salas' (huge slabs), which had fallen several years ago from the `vimana' of the 8th century AD sandstone Kailasanathar temple at Kancheepuram. The `salas' had been lying neglected all these years. Conservation work was undertaken in the main shrine at a cost of Rs. 20 lakhs.

Another Siva shrine, built by Mahendravarman inside the Kailasanathar temple, was now being repaired at a cost of Rs. 10 lakhs.

Asked whether the ASI proposed to declare any monument in the Chennai circle one of national importance, besides the Arunachaleswara temple at Tiruvannamalai (the move has been stayed by the Madras High Court on a State Government petition), Mr. Narasimhan said six proposals had been sent to the ASI headquarters.

Preliminary notification was issued in respect of two historic sites at Poompuhar, a Siva temple at Devanur in Villupuram district, a sandstone Siva temple at Thiruppattoor in Tiruchi district and two temples at Thirumalaicheri, Vellore district.

With a Rs. 24-lakh special fund allotted by the Centre, the ASI circle, Chennai, had completed conservation work in four Jain temples at Tirumalai in Tiruvannamalai district and in the Jain temples at Mettuputtur, Coimbatore district, and Chittannavasal in Pudukottai district. At Thirumalai, fallen structures were reconstructed and 300 steps relaid.

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