LU wants ASI to renovate two historical buildings inside its campus

The Lal Baradari building, which now houses a canteen and teachers' staff club, and Machchli Dwar, a gate near the business administration department inside the university are the structures for which the renovation by ASI has been proposed.

A portion of Lal Baradari's roof has collapsed while bricks have dislocated at some places. It has also been weakened by unwanted shrubbery in some places over and around it.

"Both structures are more than a 100 years old and their renovation employing the general civil works is not possible. Proper renovation can only be undertaken by experts," said Prof Nishith K Rai, head of Department of Ancient

Indian History and Archaeology, LU.

The sites were also surveyed by the ASI team in this regard today. "The basic criteria for renovation of a structure (by ASI) is that it should at least be a hundred years old with historically relevant architectural style," said Dr P K Mishra, Deputy Superintendent Archaeologist, Lucknow Circle, who was among those who visited the site.

"These structures gain significance as they belong to the Nawab era," added Rakesh Tiwari, Director, Directorate of UP State Archaeology Department.

"ASI is expected to prepare a draft within a week after surveying the sites," LU registrar J B Singh said. "Based on the draft, a proposal would then be sent to the government for granting of funds under the 13th Finance Commission," he added.

However, this is not the first time such a renovation has been proposed for a site inside LU. "Half-hearted attempts have been made earlier and nothing substantial has materialised so far. We can only hope that the renovation work is undertaken this time as these structures are an asset for the university. They are one of those things which sets LU apart from newer educational institutions which have come up," added Rai.

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