PWD assessing damages, renovation of structure ruled out: Minister

Chennai:

Public Works Department is assessing the damage of the historic 245-year-old complex and a decision will be taken on Wednesday evening, according to Public Works Department Minister K V Ramalingam.

The minister, who visited Chepauk palace on Monday after the inferno ravaged it, told Express that the building has been damaged totally and is beyond repairs.

“The building is damaged 100 per cent and renovation work can’t take place. The wooden ceilings have been destroyed. There is no way it could be repaired,” Ramalingam said.

Meanwhile, highly placed sources confided that whatever is left of the building will be demolished and a new building will be constructed.

The palace was the official residence of Nawab of Arcot from 1768 to 1855. Built over an area of 117 acres, the palace comprises of two blocks – the northern block is called Khalsa Mahal while the southern block is known as Humayun Mahal.

Ramalingam said the wooden flooring and roof helped the fire to spread quickly reducing the historic monument, which is considered the finest Indo-Saracenic architecture to ashes.

“All that lies in the site is piles of rubbish with only the walls intact,” the minister said. Interestingly, the state government constructed the Ezilagam complex at the north-eastern corner of the plot only in 1960 to accommodate government offices.