Restoration delay leaves state library exposed

Come monsoon, and there is a high possibility that parts of the decades-old State Central Library at Afzal Gunj may cave in. With its huge halls and high ceilings, the Osmanian-style edifice is now left to the vagaries of nature, as its restoration project seems to have hit a roadblock. The structure, constructed in 1936 after the library was moved from the old General Post Office building at Abids, is now a just shadow of its glorious past.

The signs of incomplete work are visible all over, with the walls chipped off and the roof left exposed for want of re-plastering. And with the restoration work stopped midway, a hard spell of rain might lead to water seepage, weakening the imposing structure, Ms Anuradha Reddy, of Intach, warns. “The interest of the building is paramount,” she stressed. “I have seen the progress of work, and it is anyone’s guess when the roof will be re-plastered.” With the monsoon less than two months away, she said, there was a danger of collapse — a concern shared by several other experts as well.

Mr Kedarnath, a regular visitor to the library, said: “It is a pity such a magnificent structure is in such a condition.” The AP Educational and Welfare Infrastructure Development Corporat-ion had awarded to Babu Associates the contract for the project after tenders were called in April 2011. The restoration work, estimated to cost Rs 2.33 crore, was scheduled for completion within 12 months.

“Works were taken up last year and should have been completed by now,” C.H. Pulliah, director, public libraries, said. However, Mr Babu, the contractor, said the authorities did not hand over the library site in time, which primarily had led to the delay. Besides, he claimed, “We needed to make certain deviations from the original plan in tune with the revised rates.” APEWIDC executive engineer K. Murthy admitted that there was a delay in the work. “I will visit the site on the last week of April, and if there is no satisfactory progress, appropriate penalty will be imposed on the contractor,” he said

Full News is available at :- 

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/hyderabad/restoration-delay-leaves-state-library-exposed-989.