BENGALURU: The 100-year-old Krumbiegel Hall in Lalbagh, which collapsed a few days ago, will not be renovated. An assessment done by Horticulture and Archaeology Department revealed that the damage caused to the structure after the collapse was beyond repair.
Conservationists and Historians have for long warned about the impending collapse, but no action was taken by Lalbagh authorities. The lecture hall was built to honour German superintendent of Lalbagh, Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel, who helped Bengaluru earn its 'Garden City' reputation.
However, this incident has made the Horticultural department scramble to expedite the renovation of M.H. Marigowda National Horticulture Library, which began in February 2017.
Joint Director of Parks and Gardens Dr Jagadeesh said, “Marigowda Library is a British era building, that began seeing water leakages. We are using old style material, a mix of cement, jiggery and fruit extracts, ground together, to restore it. This will be used for plastering as was done in the olden days."
The 152-year-old Marigowda library was built in 1865 by botanists, named after the highly respected Father of Karnataka' s Horticulture Dr M.H Marigowda. Dr Jagadeesh said the work would be completed in 45 days.
“A sum of '96 lakh has been invested for the heritage library and there were a few issues in renovation, the process got delayed. It is a traditional building and will be redone in a different way," said P.C. Ray, Horticulture Commissioner.
