Collector asks for report on neglect of Sullivan Memorial

UDHAGAMANDALAM: The government on Monday sought an immediate report from the Nilgiris district administration on the condition of Sullivan Memorial, the first colonial building in the Nilgiris, located at Kannerimukku near Kotagiri. The building needs a coat of paint and the walls and flooring have been damaged by damp.
Under the instruction of the Nilgiris collector, a team of officials comprising an assistant executive engineer, a junior engineer of Kotagiri town panchayat and the executive officer of the panchayat inspected the memorial on Monday and prepared a report on the status of the colonial landmark.The report was submitted to the district collector the same day.
Palani, executive officer, Kotagiri town panchayat, said, "An inspection was conducted at Sullivan Memorial as per the instruction of the district collector on Monday to assess the damage to the memorial due to damp. The report was later submitted to the collector."
P Sankar, Nilgiris Collector, said, "An estimate will be worked out based on the report submitted. If the cost of maintenance falls within the funds available with the town panchayat, the Kotagiri town panchayat will carry out the maintenance work. Otherwise, Hill Area Development Programme (HADP) will be approached for funds for repairs. A meeting of the maintenance committee will be convened soon." Geetha Srinivasan, president, INTACH-Nilgiris chapter, said, "The memorial was rebuilt with concrete over a decade ago. In concrete buildings, lack of maintenance will lead to recurring repair work like leakage and dampness. Sullivan is the founder of modern Nilgiris and the administration should set aside some funds for annual maintenance of the memorial."
Government bodies such as HADP could be involved in the maintenance of the building, she said. Srinivasan pointed out the lack of maintenance had led to the collapse of a municipal heritage building in Puducherry recently.
Dharmalingam Venugopal, director, Nilgiris Documentation Centre (NDC), said, "We are hopeful that better times are ahead for Sullivan Memorial." Since 2006, NDC, a private trust, has been taking care of the memorial of the founder of modern Nilgiris.