Restoration of heritage building of Faculty of Fine Arts of MS University in Vadodara begins

Vadodara: The restoration of a 143-year old heritage building of the Faculty of Arts at The MS University of Vadodara will be done using a 150-year old method at a cost of around Rs 5.50 crore. The task of restoration of total 9 domes including the main dome will take around three months time, while the entire restoration will take one and half year to two years time.

The MS University of Baroda has allotted the tender for the restoration of the 143-year old heritage building of the Faculty of Arts to a Mumbai based company at a cost of Rs 5.50 crore. A 150-year old method is being revived and used for the restoration of the heritage building including the heritage dome. The use of lime, sand and surkhi will take place for the plaster in the building instead of modern materials such as sand and cement. The traditional items will be used instead of the modern chemicals for the restoration.

Damage to Belgium glass and stones will be repaired by boiling the broken glass and re-processing it. Later in order to fix it, a frame of Shisha will be used.

Total 100 workers are to be deployed for the restoration of the dome. Research for restoration was going on for last six months. Initially, some portion was selected for restoration to see the results.

The faculty of arts heritage building was constructed by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad in 1880 at a cost of Rs 8,30,150. It was initially known as Baroda college. A Two-storey building is spread over 30,000 square ft area.

The dome of Fine Arts college is the second largest dome of Asia which is a double dome structured. Fifty steps on the first floor of Premanand hall in faculty of Fine Arts take a person to the dome. The ladders are designed in such a way that even a six ft height person can easily access it.

The large dome’s restoration work had started in 2004-05 also at a cost of Rs. 30 lakh to Rs. 40 lakh, however due to shortage of grant, it remained unconcluded.