Residency fountain ready to welcome visitors

Lucknow: Residency's fountain has been restored and is ready to enthrall visitors with its gushing splendour.
Situated in the banquet hall of the Residency, which was ruined in the revolt of 1857, the fountain has been repaired with the same marble that was used at the time of its construction in 1800AD. The marble has been procured from Makrana which is famous world over for its marble inlay factories."After Musamman Burj in Agra Fort, it is the only fountain in the state with such intricate work on it," said ASI's Lucknow circle superintending archaeologist Navratna Kumar Pathak. Talking to TOI on Thursday, Pathak said the marble used for the repair work is cleaned by clay pack technique, the same one used to keep the walls of the Taj Mahal glowing. However, the colour of inlay work differs from that of the Taj.
The pipelines to the fountain have also been repaired and connected to it. The only work that remains to be done is to put up railings. "We won't put up railings all around it but we will make arrangements to ensure that nobody disturbs the pool," said building caretaker Arjun Singh.
Residency, which has been declared an 'Adarsh Smarak' among five in UP by the Centre, will open the fountain for public from September.