Hill palace to be renovated

The proposals for increasing the visitor amenities, introduction of a light and sound show, setting up of a planetarium and the general beautification of the palace complex will be considered shortly.

HERITAGE: State Ministers K. Babu, K.C. Joseph and Anoop Jacob looking atthe crown of the ruler of the erstwhile kingdom of Kochi, displayed at the HillPalace Museum, Tripunithura, on Monday. Photo: Vipin Chandran

The conservation of Hill Palace Museum and improvement in visitor amenities can be implemented only in accordance with the guidelines set for the protected monument, said K.C. Joseph, Minister for Rural Development and Registration.

Speaking at a meeting convened at the Hill Palace Museum, Tripunithura, on Monday to discuss the conservation, renovation and improvement of visitor facilities there, Mr. Joseph said that the government will take all possible efforts for protecting the monument.

The State government has approached the Centre seeking an assistance of Rs. 6 crore for the renovation works.

A budgetary support of Rs. 60 lakh was also announced earlier.

These funds would be utilised for the conservation of the museum, he said.

The proposals for increasing the visitor amenities, introduction of a light and sound show, setting up of a planetarium and the general beautification of the palace complex will be considered shortly. A meeting of the officials will be convened at Thiruvananthapuram to discuss the details, he said.

Excise Minister K. Babu, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob, Centre for Heritage Studies (CHS) director M.G.S. Menon and State Archives director B. Rejikumar were also present.

The CHS had earlier sought government support for setting up a library complex and starting a publication division.