ONCE known as the ‘Pretties of Shimla’, the beautiful nineteenth century heritage buildings in Shimla which are under the direct control of the Government of India are getting a facelift. Massive restoration work is going on at the Viceregal Lodge (1881-1884), Yarrows (built prior to 1875), Railway Board Building (1896-97), Gorton Castle (1901-1904) and Grand Hotel (first block built in 1890). Special care has been taken to ensure that these buildings retain their original structure, architecture and unique features. The institutions functioning in these buildings required high-tech facilities which were provided but not at the cost of the original features. The credit for this goes to the Central Public Works Department which maintains these buildings.

Built about a hundred years ago, these magnificent buildings have already lived beyond their average life span of 70 to 80 years and extraordinary effort is required to keep them going for another hundred years, the target set by the CPWD. This challenging task has been undertaken at three levels: restoration and strengthening of the original building and the surrounding areas; provision of modern amenities like central heating, computerisation and other high-tech facilities required for the smooth flow of work being carried out by different institutions housed in these buildings and greening of the environs through recycled rain and waste water and thus ensuring that as far as possible every building is able to meet its water requirements. Scope for future expansion has also been provided for.

Headed by Shimla-based CPWD Superintending Engineer, Sarvagya Kumar Srivastava, the team entrusted with the restoration work comprised Civil Executive Engineers Jai Bhagwan and Dung Dung, Executive Engineer (electrial) S. Kumar, Assistant Executive Engineer Thakur Loka Ram and Jr. Engineer S.R. Singh.

The historic Viceregal Lodge, built in Neo-Gothic style and spread over an area of 123 acres, now houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies. Director of IIAS Prof V.C. Srivastava, who has a background in archaeology, supervised most of the restoration work and provided expertise when needed. He spoke highly of the work done by the local CPWD in not only restoring the old structure but also correcting earlier distortions. In the Morning Room the original Burmese teak wood panelling has been restored after stripping coats of white paint. This room was very popular with the Viceroys for its early morning sun and picturesque view. It now houses the office of Prof V. C. Srivastava. According to Prof Srivastava all over the world, especially in Europe, big castles, palaces and fortresses, once the symbols of imperialism, have now been converted into institutions of historic importance.

Railway Board Building receive a facelift.

Prof Srivastava was satisfied with the strengthening of retaining walls and restoration of pathways complete with original fencing and railings; restoration of the observatory and the fountain etc. The surroundings were ideal for this institute of higher learning and an inspiration for more than 200 scholars and fellows who visit the institute every year.

Restoration of a hundred-year-old structure was not an easy task, asserted Shiv Ram Singh, Junior Engineer for Gorton Castle and Railway Board Building who had to execute the job once the plan had been cleared by senior engineers. He said both construction techniques and materials used had undergone a sea change since the time these buildings had been constructed. The reproduction of the stone-moulded brackets and original railings at the Gorton Castle was a time-consuming task. The eves’ board on the roof level along with the gutters was also difficult to rebuild because Shimla had no facilities to carry out such work. These facilities had to be arranged from Delhi. Similarly extra precautions had to be taken to reinforce stone-wall lime-mortar, extensively used in the exteriors of these historic buildings. S.R. Singh said while constructing a new building one started at the base and progressed to the top but while restoring an old building, one had to start from the top, i.e. the roof, to check leakage which could eat into the structure and cause irreparable damage if not dealt with in time. He recalled that when the top floor of the Railway Board Building was gutted in a fire last February, the damaged portion was restored with corrugated GS (galvanised steel sheets) used in the original structure but reconstructing the Gumatis posed a major problem. This 1897 colonial-style exquisite wrought-iron structure had a sheer drop at the back and was not approachable from the front either. The Gumatis could also not be reached from the roof. In order to carry out this work, workmen had to sit on wooden planks suspended from ropes. Dung Dung, Jaibhagwan and Thakur Loka Ram agreed that the restoration work of these heritage buildings was not a routine job and required innovative skills but the creative satisfaction derived from a job well done was immense. These efforts received public appreciation when on December 6 last Comptroller and Auditor General of India V.K. Shinglu visited Gorton Castle and praised the restored facade of the building.

Earlier in the day Shinglu also visited Yarrows, another heritage building constructed prior to 1875, which now housed the National Academy of Audit and Accounts. He commended the restoration work and strengthening of the original structure of Yarrows and praised the CPWD team headed by S.K. Srivastava. The satisfaction expressed by Shinglu mattered because the Comptroller and Auditor General had provided the money for the works and it had to be spent judiciously. The initiative shown by the CPWD horticulture wing in planting herbs with medicinal properties in the environs of the heritage buildings also received much praise.

The old-style British architecture of these buildings provided for light and ventilation through skylights to the circulatory areas i.e. the staircases and corridors of a building, so the use of indirect lighting was encouraged to avoid damage to the structure because of harsh electric lights. Only concealed lighting system was allowed.

Asked how the restoration work of these heritage buildings was being managed by a handful of engineers without the help of an expert, Sarvagya Srivastava said these buildings were being maintained by the CPWD and the engineers were well versed with the contours of each building, they had easy access to the drawings and photographs filed in official records and, above all, they had the technical skills to execute the job.