Fresh flush to old Lalbagh

After many fits and starts, three Lalbagh heritage buildings are soon to be restored

Karnataka : Bengaluru : 05-02-2015 : Dalapidated Aquarium at Lalbagh in Bengaluru on February 05, 2015. Photo: Sudhakara Jain.

The centrepiece of the city, the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, is much more than just the 117-year-old glass house that has played host to 202 flower shows in the city. Look beyond, and you will find numerous heritage buildings crying for attention.

After years of false starts and faulty restoration, the Horticulture Department has entrusted the State Archaeological Department to take over the buildings. These structures include Dr. M.H. Marigowda National Horticultural Library, built in 1856, housing nearly 12,000 titles for green enthusiasts; the Greek-styled Krumbiegal Hall built in the late 1800s; and the circular Old Aquarium building dating back to the 1930s — all in disrepair.

The efforts for restoration took root nearly six years ago when the Civil Aid was contacted to study the structures. The team had then said the structures should be razed as restoration would be more expensive than rebuilding them. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) was then contacted in 2011 and work had even started in 2012-13. But, even this stopped abruptly.

“After signing the MOU, we were asked to be consultants and the job was to be undertaken by the PWD. However, the department appointed a contractor who neither had experience in heritage work, nor had worked with lime plaster buildings. When we complained, the Horticulture Department cancelled the MoU,” says Meera Iyer, co-convener of INTACH.

‘Will be restored’

With the works transferred to the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Gunavantha J., Deputy Director of Horticulture, Lalbagh Gardens, says the restoration will be taken up on a priority.

Nearly Rs. 59.5 lakh has already been sanctioned for fresh renovation, he said.

C.G. Betsurmath, Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, Mysuru, said preliminary studies had been done for the three buildings. “We are in the process of calling for tenders for the conservation work,” he says, adding that the team will be “more cautious” in restoration than the PWD, which used cement instead of lime and mortar.