Indore Municipal Corporation preparing report for redevelopment of Rajwada

INDORE: The Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) is preparing a detailed project report for the redevelopment Rajwada with an initial expenditure estimated at around Rs 12 crore. They are contemplating using newer technologies to restore the heritage structure.
Sources said that for the civic body was planning to use a technology known as Glass reinforced concrete (GRC) in which the structure would be covered by small sheets that would resemble the colour and shape of the historic structure.It has been widely used in various parts of the country for restoration of monuments including the Amritsar and Lucknow.
In this technology, small sheets resembling the heritage structures are created, the small sheets are then pasted over the original structure. While the original structure remains the same, it gives a fresh look to the monument.
“We are considering various options. Our focus will be on strengthening the building. The building has tilted at one side; we will straighten it. There are wooden works that have gone old; they will also be repaired,” said IMC additional commissioner Rohan Saxena.
However, experts are of the opinion that GRC technology might harm the building. “If you paste anything on the walls, it has adverse effects. Moreover, any building needs that breathing space, with such sheets pasted on the building, the walls are completely cut from the outer environment,” said Himanshu Dudhwadkar, co-convener of INTACH, a NGO working in the field of monument restoration.
Experts are of the opinion that even without the use of this technology, the building can be preserved. However, it would require a lot of effort and extensive work.