For the first time in decades, the heritage structures in the Public Works Department complex at Chepauk are being restored.
Built in 1865, the iconic red building facing Marina beach is also known as the Chepauk Palace and housed the Nawab of Arcot. It now functions as the PWD headquarters housing the Buildings and Irrigation wings. Though the department has taken up maintenance works of the heritage structure in the past, no major restoration project has been initiated for many decades, leaving portions of the structure dilapidated and unusable.
The main building, designed by Robert Chisholm, has two rectangular wings on either side.
The State government had recently announced ₹20 crore towards heritage conservation. At present, work is on to repair a hall in one of the wings that was once used for maintaining records.
Elaborating on the process, an official of the PWD said lime and river sand are sourced from Tiruchi and Virudhunagar for lime plastering.
“Mughal plastering using various traditional materials like egg white, curd and lime powder is used and several processes are involved to revive the sheen of the walls. Structures with wire cut bricks need such plastering for stability,” the official said.
The hall was used as a stable long ago and portions of the main block comprised the women’s wing and large dining halls. The Indo-Saracenic structure was later extended in 1910 to over 1.30 lakh square feet.
“We are also repairing the roof and courtyard. Skilled masons from Kovilpatti have been engaged for the work,” said an official. The main building is also home to a chest installed in 1857.
The chest, which was made in London, is now being used to maintain confidential documents of the department. The work is expected to be completed within a year.
The PWD is also awaiting the government’s nod to start the long-pending restoration work of the Humayun Mahal, another heritage structure in the complex. Built in 1770, the Humayun Mahal is spread over nearly 82,000 sq. ft. and is expected to be restored at a cost of ₹36.38 crore.