Makeover for five heritage statues in Cubbon Park

The departments of Horticulture and Archaeology have jointly taken up the renovation of five heritage statues in the Cubbon Park - the first such project after the installation of these statues.  The 120-acre Cubbon Park, a prime lung space of the city, has a statue of Queen Victoria near MG Road Circle, installed in 1906; K Sheshadri Iyer in the Central Library, installed in 1913; King Edward-VII, installed in 1919; Chamarajendra Wadiyar in the central part of the park, installed in 1972 and a statue of Sir Mark Cubbon near the terrace garden. The horticulture department has already deposited Rs 15.5 lakh with the department of archaeology towards renovation. The latter has floated tenders and the work is expected to begin on February 15.

“The project was in the pipeline for the past three years, but took a concrete shape five months ago. We inspected the statues and found them to be a very bad condition. They have lost their colours and some have damaged parts,” said K B Akkoji, in-charge deputy director and assistant archaeological engineer, State Archaeological department.

He said the department had roped in archaeologists and experts from Gujarat and Rajasthan for the renovation. The chemical wash for cleaning the statues and restoration of their original colour will begin in the middle of February. The renovation will be completed by first week of May. The horticulture department is also working on creating an European style garden opposite Chinnaswamy stadium. “A shade garden is being made with foliage shrubs, Duranta shrubs, Lantana and Topiary plants. The landscape is being done at a cost of Rs 60 lakh. The landscape artist has already started his work and planting of saplings will start with the onset of monsoon,” said Mahantesh Murgod, deputy director of Cubbon Park, Horticulture department.  Murgod said that the work on the area between Vidhana Soudha and High Court will start in another 15 days.

“To begin with, we will spread the soil and plant hardy plants. Lawns will be created here with hardy and shallow-rooted plants. The roots of these species will not damage the metro cables underground. The BMRCL has also given a go-ahead for the project,” Murgod added.