Restoration work to begin in Kullu valley

The ICCI is the technical wing of the Indian National Trust for Art, Culture and Heritage and Dr Aggarwal is an expert in restoration of sculptures and monuments of historical importance.

Mahesh Kumar Jiwrajka, Member Secretary, Central Empowered Committee (CEC), said the project would be extended to other states where rocks have been defaced. Dr Aggarwal will hold meetings with committee members before he heads for Himachal.

‘‘We will first go there and see things for ourselves. Experiments will be carried out on inconspicuous portions of the affected rocks to find out the best possible and least harmful methods of restoration,’’ Dr Aggarwal said on phone from Lucknow.

‘‘The experimentation stage will last a month. Based on the results, we will choose the best-suited technique for removal of paint after discussions among ourselves, with other experts and with the CEC,’’ he said. Elaborating on the work to be carried out next week, he said samples of the paint coating on rock surfaces will also be taken to ICCI labs at Lucknow. ‘‘These will be small samples, the size of a needle tip. These will be tested in our laboratories to determine the exact composition of paints used, the binding medium, the pigments and the compounds present,’’ he said.

Aggarwal had submitted a detailed report on the cleaning-up exercise to the court on September 22. The court then assigned the task to be performed ‘‘under the direct control, supervision and monitoring of Dr O.P. Aggarwal’’ on the CEC’s recommendations.

While ruling out the use of mechanical and air abrasive cleaning as ‘‘not advisable’’, Dr Aggarwal told the court that though the laser technique is ‘‘the most environment-friendly method, requirement of constant electricity poses a problem in many areas. The machines are sophisticated and a stable platform will be necessary for keeping them.’’

The report suggested that chemical and mechanical cleaning methods are the best in terms of economy and safety.