ASI finally takes up repair of Old Fort in Madikeri

The Archaeological Survey of India has awoken from its deep slumber and has taken up the repair of the historic Old Fort in Madikeri when the rainy season is approaching.

The Old Fort is being repaired from the past week at a cost of Rs 25 lakh. The Old Fort which is covered by shrubs was in a dilapidated condition.

There was seepage of water during the rainy season. In order to protect the monument, the cracks on the wall of the fort are being filled with concrete.

Workers who have revived forts in Mysuru and Chitradurga are carrying out the repair work. The work is carried out in such a way that the original design of the wall is kept intact.

Also, the waste littered around the Balamandira nearby is being cleared. Seepage of water near Kote Ganapathy Temple is being rectified. During the past year, iron bars were installed at a cost of lakhs of rupees to protect the fort.

During the natural disaster which struck the district last year, the palace and the fort around the palace were damaged.

Many organisations such as Green City Forum urged for the repair of the fort and the palace.

District In-charge Minister Sa Ra Mahesh had held a meeting with ASI officer Murtheeshwari in this regard and had asked the department concerned to initiate necessary steps to conserve the fort.

Currently, only the fort wall is being repaired. The department officials said that the entire premise has not been handed over to the ASI and therefore the repair of the palace could not be taken up with the available funds. Also, the offices of various government departments in the Old Palace need to be shifted to the new building.

The roof of the palace had collapsed in January. The walls of the palace are discoloured and the rooms where the soldiers once stayed had completely collapsed.