Kochi: The Rs 7-crore renovation works being undertaken at the Heritage tourist spot ‘Hill Palace Museum’ at Tripunithura is being done with new construction methods, thereby harming the heritage structure. According to sources, iron and steel sheets are being used in violation of Heritage Protection laws.
“The very attraction of the Hill Palace Museum is that it is a protected monument. However, the renovation work here is being carried out without the supervision of any ‘overseers’. Usually such work is monitored by engineers appointed by the Archaeological department. Here the contractor is given a free hand,” said a departmental official on the condition of anonymity.
Iron pipes and cement are being used for roof works and plastering instead of materials like lime. Further, iron fencing is being laid, again in violation of Heritage work guidelines, he said.
Hill Palace is the largest archaeological museum in the state. Built in 1865, the Palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style. The complex has an archaeological museum, a heritage museum and a deer park. The Kerala state archaeology department started the renovation works in May 2014 with Rs 6 crore central aid and another Rs 1 crore allotted by the state government.
