Pune: The State Archaeological Department has completed the repair work of the main entrance gate of Pune. come back strong At Velhe, about 60 km southwest of the city, the condition of the base of the gate has deteriorated over the years.
The department started the work in December last year after inspecting the structure, popularly known as Binny Darwaza.
Torna, also known as Prachandagarh, was the first fort captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the battle of ‘Swarajya’. The highest elevation of the fort is 1,403 m and it is a favorite destination for trekkers.
“The structure is safe now as we have thoroughly inspected the repair work,” said Vilas Vahane, assistant director of the state archeology department.
The repairs were done by a Satara-based agency, which has done conservation work on several forts in the state.
“It was a mammoth task for the masons and laborers on site to work in the scorching heat. They set more than 2,000 stones at the base, each stone weighing more than 15 kilos. Installed winch system to transport the stones to the fort,” said Vahane.
The department has also installed iron railings on the sloping path for the safety of the visitors. Vahane said, “This was one of the important and challenging tasks for us as the team had to dig holes in the hard rock surfaces to fix the iron rods. The railing will have support.” ,
A team of 15 employees and five technicians worked on the job for a few weeks.
The department has decided to start other repair work after monsoon. “We will repair the temple, water tanks and roads after the rains. We have already prepared a design of each work, which will be completed by the end of this year,” Vahane said.
Umesh Jirpe, a seasoned mountaineer from the city, said, “Amateur trekkers who want to explore the forts during monsoon should not go through unknown routes as old structures may collapse. The archeology department should mark such sites for the safety of visitors.” “
The department started the work in December last year after inspecting the structure, popularly known as Binny Darwaza.
Torna, also known as Prachandagarh, was the first fort captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the battle of ‘Swarajya’. The highest elevation of the fort is 1,403 m and it is a favorite destination for trekkers.
“The structure is safe now as we have thoroughly inspected the repair work,” said Vilas Vahane, assistant director of the state archeology department.
The repairs were done by a Satara-based agency, which has done conservation work on several forts in the state.
“It was a mammoth task for the masons and laborers on site to work in the scorching heat. They set more than 2,000 stones at the base, each stone weighing more than 15 kilos. Installed winch system to transport the stones to the fort,” said Vahane.
The department has also installed iron railings on the sloping path for the safety of the visitors. Vahane said, “This was one of the important and challenging tasks for us as the team had to dig holes in the hard rock surfaces to fix the iron rods. The railing will have support.” ,
A team of 15 employees and five technicians worked on the job for a few weeks.
The department has decided to start other repair work after monsoon. “We will repair the temple, water tanks and roads after the rains. We have already prepared a design of each work, which will be completed by the end of this year,” Vahane said.
Umesh Jirpe, a seasoned mountaineer from the city, said, “Amateur trekkers who want to explore the forts during monsoon should not go through unknown routes as old structures may collapse. The archeology department should mark such sites for the safety of visitors.” “