The Hindu 03.12.2013
Kurupam tower to be reconstructed
Suggestions to be taken from experts; design to be retained
Reacting to the demolition of the Kurupam market gateway, Municipal Commissioner M. V. Satyanarayana asked officials to take all precautions to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
He said suggestions from all concerned and experts will be taken to rebuild the tower.
He said a committee should be formed with officials of GVMC, VUDA, Tourism and Endowment departments, representatives of INTACH and professors of Andhra University Architecture Department to safeguard historic structures. He asked officials of the departments concerned to take steps to rebuild the tower by taking suggestions from them.
The design should be retained while reconstructing, he said.
Historic gate
The arched gate with towers on either side was donated by Kurupam’s Raja Vyricherla Veerabhadra Raja to the Vizagpatam Municipal Corporation on September 1, 1914 to mark the coronation of King Edward VII. It was pulled down stating that it was damaged during the recent downpour.
Endowment officials said Government Whip Dronamraju Srinivasa Rao had agreed to sanction funds for the restoration.
INTACH convener P. V. Prasad also wanted the tower to be reconstructed without any changes in the design.
Former convener of INTACH Rani Sarma said steps should be taken to conserve the Queen Mary High School building constructed in 1930.
INTACH members Sohan and Jayasri Hattangadi suggested that the historic structures in the One Town area should be conserved and the surroundings beautified.
Chief Engineer B Jayarami Reddy, Superintendent V. Chandraiah, District Tourism Officer Anita and Endowments Assistant Commissioner Sujata participated.
