Soil test done: Chattar Manzil restoration to begin soon

With the much awaited soil test done, the restoration of Chattar Manzil is all set to begin soon. Officials with the construction agency UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (UPRNN) said the test was to ensure the quality of soil, which is important to carry out the restoration work further.

“Things are set and the restoration is expected to start by October,” said an official of the UPRNN.

As part of the restoration, the agencies at work would first carry out the excavation task in order to reach to the base of the structure, to carry out its strengthening. “Strengthening is a must. Hence we are digging deeper in order to unearth the original structure that was lying buried beneath, to reach out to the foundation,” the official added.

He said the 1862 look would bring back the lost glory of the nawabi era structure.

“We have procured a rare photograph of Chattar Manzil that was shot by English photographers Charles Shepherd and Arthur Robertson in 1862. It’s a south view of the structure that highlights both — Chattar Manzil and Kothi Farhat Baksh,” said Sandeep Singh, project engineer, UPRNN.

Singh said the restoration of the structure was likely to be carried out on the same pattern. “But prior to giving the structure the same old look, its wall, base and foundation need to be strengthened. This is being done on the expertise of professors from IIT-BHU – one of the consultancy agencies in the ongoing Chhatar Manzil conservation and restoration project,” added Singh.