21 July,2009 09:12 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
Descendant of the Peshwas feels that monsoon is the wrong time to carry out renovation work at Shaniwarwada; fears damage to structure
It's a noble decision, but the timing is wrong. A descendant of the Peshwas is upset that the Archaeological Society of India (ASI) is carrying out repair work on the 276-year-old historic Shaniwarwada during the monsoon. Krishnarao Peshwa told MiD DAY, "We appreciate the efforts of the ASI, but work at the historic place should have been carried out during the summer and winter, not during the rains. It may damage the structure."
Old charm
He added that repair work at the Shaniwarwada the palace fort in the heart of Pune was long overdue. The palace fort was constructed by Bajirao I in 1732 and was the seat of the Peshwas. Krishnarao said, "The ASI should retain the old look and glory of the place. Also, people who had undertaken renovation work in the past should be consulted, as Shaniwarwada have a historic significance and people have their sentiments attached to it."
Conservation architects Anjali and Kiran Kalamdani, partners, Kimaya Group, who had done the renovation worku00a0 on the front side of Shaniwarwada in 1996, said, "The ASI has its own expertise, but it is always advisable to stop work during the rains."
No damage
However, M S Chauhan, superintendent archaeologist, Mumbai Circle, ASI, told this reporter that work at the site started since November last year and will continue for some more months. Chauhan added, "We have spent Rs 19 lakh and have taken every precaution to ensure that there is no damage to the fort in the monsoon." He said that the ASI has consulted many experts before deciding on the repair work.
"We have used ingredients like lime, jaggery, hirda (Terminalia chebula) and old bricks to ensure that the renovation is strong and everlasting. We have replaced many old bricks with those from Ahmedabad that are of the same size. They belong to the era when Shaniwarwada was constructed," explained Chauhan.
Milind Salunke, an NRI in California, said that Shaniwar Wada is his favorite place. "I love to go there every time I visit Pune. This time, I will take my six-year-old son to the historic place," said Milind. He welcomed the idea of renovating the place.
