Royals' fate same as commoners' in quake-hit Morbi

MORBI: The 300-year-old palace here, which was completely destroyed in the 2001 earthquake, is yet to see any kind of reconstruction activity.
The magnificent edifice on the banks of river Machhu continues to lie in a dilapidated condition even after two years. "It is even difficult to ascertain the extent of damage," says Mohansinh Jadeja, the administrator of the palace.
"Some of the most beautiful chandeliers, antique furniture, and plaster of Paris work with gold and silver carvings have been totally lost in the tremor.The palace was constructed in Mughal, Greek and Italian design and had an exclusive ''Aiyna Mahal'' full of Belgium glass that has been reduced to rubble.
In such a scenario, it is difficult to even have a rough estimate of the loss and how much it will cost to bring back the lost glory," Mohansinh said.
Like the palace, even some of the houses in Morbi town are yet to be reconstructed.
Almost 80 to 90 people had died in Morbi during the killer quake, and 28,381 applications were made before the state government for financial assistance for damaged houses. However, official figures say that so far just Rs 36 crore have been paid, and as many as 270 cases are still pending for a second instalment of government aid to rebuild the houses. Besides, there are 438 cases pending for the third instalment.
Official sources, wishing anonymity, maintain that there are very little chances of these cases getting the second and third instalments.
The Darbargadh, in the heart of the city, lies in rubble two years after the temblor.
The huge pillars which came down crashing on January 26, 2001 continue to lie at the main iron gates. Only a small passage has been made to enable the staff members to move around. At Vagh Mahal, surveyors from Mumbai have stated that it is difficult to bring back the same glory as that kind of skilled manpower is not available now.
According to Lakshmanbhai, whose house was completely damaged, said, "While the government assured us so many things soon after the quake, the matter seems to have been forgotten as time passed. Of late, no one has ever come and asked about the condition we are living in, now that the earthquake is history."
Parbatbhai, who lives near the Nehru Gate and has one leg amputated after it was crushed under falling pillars, moans, "Outside help is forthcoming, but there is no help from our government."
On Tuesday, a primary school was reconstructed at Shanala with the help of the Lohana community settled in London. Another housing complex was inaugurated by the state law minister Ashok Bhatt at Nana Dahisara which was built with the help from Florida-based Tempa Bay earthquake rehabilitation committee.
While the royals still hope to rebuild their palaces, it is the common man who finds himself under a huge burden of debt. There are many like Parvatiben living near the old ST bus stand who plan to mortgage their home to repay the money borrowed.