Roof of old fort palace collapses

A major portion of the roof of the palace in the old fort in Madikeri collapsed due to its dilapidated condition, on Tuesday afternoon. Fortunately, there were no casualties.

Many offices of the Zilla Panchayat have been functioning inside the palace. When the incident took place, there were very few people in the offices.

On hearing the sound of the roof collapsing, the staff came out running. The palace and the old fort were partially damaged during the natural calamity that hit Kodagu in August.

The palace has not been maintained for the past several years. The paint on the walls is discoloured. The rooms where the soldiers used to stay in the older days has totally collapsed. The premises is covered with weeds.

The tourists who visit the historic place have been expressing their discomfiture against the indifferent attitude of the department concerned in reviving the monument.

During a meeting chaired by District In-charge Minister Sa Ra Mahesh, it was decided to take up the maintenance of the palace. Archeological Survey of India officer Moorthishwary had assured of taking up necessary steps to repair the palace within a week. But, no measure has been initiated to date.

A staff member said that employees working in the offices situated in the palace are going through a sense of insecurity. The Zilla Panchayat office has not been shifted to the new building yet, he added.