The entrance to the Gajapati palace in Paralakhemundi. Telegraph picture

Paralakhemundi (Orissa), July 19: Once a seat of power and pomp, the Gajapati palace in Paralakhemundi is now a ?white elephant? desperately seeking a new life.

Built between 1835 and 1843 during the reign of Jagannath Gajapati Narayan Deo III, a ruler of the Ganga dynasty, the double-storeyed building spread over six acres has all the signs of decay ? discoloured walls, rusted iron railings and gates and moth-eaten painting frames, to name a few. The only way it can get back its sheen is by attaining heritage status, something that is unlikely to happen in the near future.

?I am unable to maintain this white elephant from my meagre income,? said the present royal heir, Gopinath Gajapati. There was a time when a hundred people used to look after the upkeep of the building. Now, there are only 10, he rued.

?It?s high time the government took over the heritage building for preservation,? said Gajapati.

The current occupants of the palace are Gajapati, his son and daughter. Some domestic helps also stay there while a few others live in a nearby farmhouse.

The palace, made of stone, wood, brick and marble, has around 80 rooms with large and arched teak doors and windows. The roofs have wooden beams, supported by pillars of stone as well as Burma teak. A British engineer, Chisholm, had supervised its construction.

At the main entrance, an iron gate with the words ?strong and faithful Paralakimedi? embossed on a metal plaque stands anchored between two columns. Statues of two lions are placed on either side of the gate.

Inside the imposing structure, the durbar (royal court) is the prime attraction. The 120x40-ft hall with decorated walls and intricate wooden work was where the 10th session of Utkal Sammelan was held on December 26-27, 1914. Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati had hosted the meet.

Krushna Chandra became the first premier of Orissa and it was in his honour that the Centre brought out a postage stamp in 1992, with the first-day cover featuring a facsimile of the Gajapati palace.

Though several dignitaries, including central ministers, governors and chief ministers have assured that adequate steps will be taken for maintenance of the palace, no visible action has been taken yet.

Gajapati, a former Congress MP who is now with the BJP, said he got in touch with Intach representatives, who expressed willingness to undertake repair and restoration work. But for that, proper documentation and preparation of a project report are required, something that will involve an initial expenditure of Rs 1 lakh.

In December last year, he requested then culture minister Damodar Rout to provide financial assistance for the purpose. But nothing happened after that, he lamented.

Surya Narayan Patro, the current culture minister, said it is the policy of the government to preserve palaces and old monuments. The department will take the necessary take steps for preservation of the Gajapati palace, subject to availability of resources.

He can also urge the Centre to take over preservation of the palace, the minister said.

Gajapati, who owns some agricultural land, said he spends around Rs 1.8 lakh per year on the maintenance of the palace.