Cuttack, Feb. 11: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will restore the massive ancient moat at the 12th century Barabati Fort.
"Renovation and conservation of the ancient moat at the fort will be undertaken within the next seven to 10 days," ASI (Bhubaneswar circle) superintendent Bhuban Vikram told The Telegraph today.
The 2.5-km stretch of moat surrounding the fort, which was built during the Ganga period, used to be completely filled with water and it helped to keep the enemies at bay.
The fort was the seat of sovereign powers, who had ruled Odisha for over five centuries. It was the headquarters of the Ganga dynasty's Kalinga empire (1112-1435), home to Suryavamsi Gajapatis (1436-1540), Bhois (1542-1560) and Mukundadev, the last Hindu ruler of Odisha (1560-68).
An ASI official said the restoration would strengthen the moat walls that surround the 104-acre fort area. It will also pave the way for operating boats at the protected monument to promote tourism.
The ASI had undertaken excavation and conservation at the fort in 1989. But for long the moat has been a subject of concern over the protection of the structures, which have now been taken up for restoration. The massive moat has remained covered with weeds.
Vikram said: "In the first phase, renovation and conservation will be taken up on the moat on the western side of the fort. Restoration would follow excavation of the stone-mixed earth, slush and ground to expose the original existing walls under the earth and dismantling of decayed and damaged walls."
He further said: "It's a huge project. Though a deadline of two years has been fixed for the first phase, we will try to complete it earlier."
Once the moat is renovated, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation would operate boats in it to promote tourism. The central government had sanctioned funds for integrated Barabati Fort area development project under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns.
"We have given Rs 1.5 crore central funds to the ASI for restoration of the moat wall of the fort," municipal commissioner Gyana Das told The Telegraph today.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone of the project on August 31, 2010. The project was supposed to be completed by March 31, 2012. "But, the project had made no progress as renovation and restoration of the moat wall had not been completed," the municipal commissioner said.
As part of an agreement, the ASI, as custodian of the protected monument (Barabati Fort), had allowed the corporation to clean the moat and introduce boating facilities and also develop the adjoining lands lying vacant on all sides into mini-parks with water fountains.
