Govt runs demolition engine on 19th century palace

The state Revenue Department had already issued a notification on September 20 saying that a total of 39,558 square metres of land,which is part of the Laxmi Vilas Palace compound,is required to widen the road as part of the VMC’s Lalbaugh Rail Over Bridge project.

Although the VMC had begun the process of acquiring the land,it was the state Revenue Department that took the initiative for faster implementation of the project and issued instruction for quick disposal of the case.

On Monday,a team of top officials from the Land and Estate department along with Municipal Commissioner Manoj Kumar Das,his support staff and earthmoving equipment,started the demolition at 7.30 am.

“The work was begun after obtaining the required permission from the Revenue Department. We wanted to acquire the land to develop the city. Now,the land will be utilised in constructing the ROB and also the service road. We will soon begin work on this side of the railway track,” Das told Newsline.

Land and Estate Officer (acquisition and administration) M M Parnami said: “There was no resistance from the royal family. They had sent their staff when the demolition was going on. They requested us to demolish the wall properly and not to damage it. They also said that they would take possession of the old iron railing as also the finely carved stones,which were part of the compound wall.”

When Newsline tried to contact the royal family,a caretaker answered the phone and said,“We have no idea about the demolition and Maharaj Saheb (Ranjitsinh Gaekwad) is out of the country.”

Designed in the Indo Saracenic style,Laxmi Vilas Palace was landscaped by Mr Gonderling of Kew. The work started in 1878 and was completed in 1890. Known for his foresight and love for the architecture,Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad had commissioned famed British architects,Major Mant and Chisolm to work on the palace.