Restoration of 186-year-old lighthouse in Puducherry picks up pace

The work, stalled due to the pandemic, will be completed soon, says official

The restoration of the 186-year-old lighthouse, a Grade A listed heritage structure, on the Beach Promenade has picked up pace.

Deactivated in the 1970s, the iconic structure finally got its due in 2020 after the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) commenced work to restore the structure.

However, the work had slowed down significantly due to the pandemic. Being carried out at a cost of ₹3.32 crore, the project is being executed by the CPWD. While the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is the architectural advisor, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras is the structural consultant.

The work would be completed soon, a senior official said.

“With almost 65% of the work completed, work on the restoration of the main tower is expected to be completed by March-end. The work is being carried out very carefully and we are using only traditional materials including lime concrete and pressed clay tiles. The circular wooden steps leading to the steps are also being replaced and we have taken care to retain the originality of the structure without tampering the materials or the architecture of this building,” A. Arul, senior architect of INTACH told TheHindu.

The work also includes laying of Kota stone flooring for the pavilion and flame-finished granite slab flooring in verandah and pathways. The damaged rafters and beams on all roofs were being replaced with teak rafters while the rooms in the structure would have oxide flooring. “The restoration work also includes landscaping,” he added.

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