Red Fort set to get ASI facelift before I-Day

New Delhi: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is all set to give a “fresh look” to the historical Red Fort for the upcoming Independence Day. The repairing work will cost around Rs 38 lakh.

The work would include, finishing the walls with water-proofing cement and removing and cutting of the grass and bushes around the fort. The repair work aso includes removing dry or oil bound distemper by scrapping sand, which will make surface smooth.

To give a uniform finish, the road surface will also be painted. Sand bags will be laid inside the moat to stop the seepage of the rain water and barricade the area for security purpose. The repair will replace old decayed, broken, dislodged red sand stone veneering stones from Delhi Gate to Lahori Gate moat road wall, including the disposal of rubbish.

To match the shade of stone, a 40mm thick red sand stone over 20 mm (average) thick base of cement mortar, including cement mortar (cement and stone dust) with an admixture of pigment wil be used for the walls.

Synthetic enamel paint approved by the ASI will be used to give an even shade, two or more coats, which will give fresh look to the fort.

This also includes  scraping of old paint by ASI contracted workers by using sand paper and cleaning the surface for paint work. The area near the walls of the fort will be dug in an area of 30cm in depth 1.5m in width and 10.00sqm for drainage purpose as per the plan.

Every year, approximately 29 lakh domestic tourists visit the monument, which generates an annual income of Rs 20 crore in ticket sales and parking fees.

The government came under attack by civil society for attempting to “privatise” India’s heritage monuments. The government on Saturday clarified the “Adopt a Heritage” programme entails “development, operations and maintenace of tourism amenities” in and around monuments.