Category Archives: Conservation Work

Conservation of Historic Allahabad Library, Prayagraj

INTACH has signed an MoU with Prayagraj Smart City Limited (PSCL) as a consultant for the conservation of the Government Public Library, Prayagraj on 20th October 2021.
The detailed project report was submitted to PSCL in January 2022.
The tender was floated by the PSCL in February 2022 and the work has commenced.
The work is being carried out in phases as the building is in use. So far, the work done is surface cleaning of the external facade and the corridors, structural restoration of the intermediate floors of the tower and restoration work of the orientation hall and the terrace. The work was to be completed by 31st March, 2023. However the contractor has sought extension from PSCL as the restoration work is getting delayed as the building is in use.

Cleaned Facade of the Corridor

Cleaned Facade of the Porch

Vault Cleaned of Cement Plaster and Repointing

Cleaned Wooden Truss

Gandhi Memorial Science College earlier known as Prince of Wales College was established in 1905. It was constructed to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales on 16th December 1910. The building was commissioned by Maharaja Pratap Singh. In July 2015, the college was given the “heritage status” by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
An MoU was signed between INTACH and the Government Gandhi Memorial Science College in February 2017 for the conservation of 3 heritage buildings (Physics & Chemistry Block, Main Building, and the Geology Block) of the college and the DPRs were submitted in November 2017. However, the restoration did not start immediately.
In March 2022, a separate MoU was signed to appoint INTACH as a consultant for advice and supervision of the work. Restoration of the Physics & Chemistry Block has been taken up on priority as it is the most damaged building. The time period for completion of the project is 24 months. The work is presently on hold.

Partially Cleaned Faade of Physics & Chemistry Block

Laying of Lime Terrace

Sir John Berry White who was a retired brigadier of the British army and later the civil surgeon of the erstwhile Lakhimpur district donated his life’s savings to establish “Berry White Medical School” in 1900 AD. This was the beginning of Allopathic Medical Education in old undivided Assam and LMP Diploma was conferred to the students.
INTACH signed an MoU with “Oil India Limited” and “Deputy Commissioner, Dibrugarh” for the restoration of Dr. John Berry White Medical School on 10th January 2018. Accordingly, DPR was prepared and work started in March, 2018
Work was divided into two phases. Phase I included the restoration of the main building and Phase II included the restoration of two ancillary structures, services and landscape. Phase I is complete while Phase II is about to be completed by the end of May 2023.
The District Administration has also received some CSR funds from BCPL for the construction of the front part of the boundary wall. This work has been completed.
INTACH has also signed an MoU with ONGC wherein ONGC has sanctioned CSR funding for works like restoration of the 3rd ancillary structure, remaining part of the boundary wall, furniture for the main building as well as the ancillary structures, information panels, DG set and pump. This work will be completed by July 23.

The General Post Office, designed by Scottish Architect John Begg in 1913 is a prime example of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture of the British Bombay era.
The majestic steel framed structure covering an area of 120,000 square feet (11,000 m²) having the second largest dome in India stands in the precinct of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station (CST) Railway Station.
INTACH prepared the DPR for the conservation of the building in 2018. The entire Conservation work is divided into four phases. Execution of work for three phases started on-site simultaneously. Phase I has been completed in March 2023 and currently the phase II work is ongoing.
The phase I work focused on the structural strengthening and consolidation of the West Wing.