By TCN Special Correspondent,
Lucknow: The allottees in the 150-year-old Sibtainabad Imambara situated in Hazratganj will be removed and the protected monument will be soon handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Presently, ASI has initiated a restoration drive in the Imambara which is in a dilapidated condition.
The directions for cancellation of the allotment done to private persons in the Imambara by Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) have been issued by Divisional Commissioner Prashant Trivedi. In a letter to Vice-Chairman (V-C) LDA, Trivedi has directed that the building be handed over to the ASI after removing all the allottees. He also has stated that the transformer established during the ongoing Hazratganj beautification drive be removed as it is blocking the entrance of the tomb of the Nawab Amjad Ali Shah. Earlier, in its letter dated December 24, the ASI had requested the DC to take the initiative for handing over the monument to them after removing all the encroachments and allottees.
The decision comes at an appropriate time with the face-lift being given to Hazratganj to commemorate its 200 years of existence. The Sibatainabad Imambara constructed in 1847 also houses the tomb of Nawab Amjad Ali Shah, who had established Hazratganj.
Joint Mutawalli (caretaker) of Imambara, Mohd. Haider informed that for past several years it was in dilapidated condition with several allottees running their business in the campus. “After all it’s a historic monument, it’s the thing which would keep our traditions alive,” said Haider.
Meanwhile ASI has started the restoration work on war footing. Regarding the conservation work an ASI official stated that when they were scratching out the white wash on the wall of the outer and inner halls, they found delicate carvings made in the time it was built. “While looking to the delicate carvings it was found that those were painted with vegetable colour, which last for a long time,” he further
“We have completed 90 percent work in outer hall and after this would move towards side halls as well as inner hall,” he informed. He added that along with it they are also restoring outer walls of the Imambara as well as outer gate too.
Meanwhile, ‘Mahal Sarai’ (A place where pilgrims to Imambara used to stay) which was built adjacent to it, was also in dilapidated condition but now after repair it has returned into its original state.