LAHORE: The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) has completed 65 per cent of the restoration and conservation works of Deewan-i-Khaas, Lal Burj and Kala Burj inside Shah Jahan’s Quadrangle at Lahore Fort. The cost of the project is Rs32 million to be done by December.

WCLA Director of Conservation Najam Usaqib said the conservation and restoration works being carried out included the replacement of brackets and broken marble slabs. Marble of the same physical and chemical properties was brought for the monument. The material being used in restoration was tested by laboratories before use to compare and match with the previously used materials.

Brackets have been made by skilled labourers and marble slabs have also been partially repaired where they were required and rest of them were strengthened and consolidated.

He said that the skilled persons were involved in the restoration work.

“The marble inlay work has also been done carefully and will soon be completed,” he said.

“It was an uphill task to conserve the white marble. Graffiti on the pillars and inside Deewan-i-Khaas has also been removed. Deewan-i-Khaas, Lal Burj and Kala Burj will be opened for public after the completion of work by the end of 2021,” he said.

WLCA Director General Kamran lashari said that Deewan-i-Khaas was one of the important monuments at Lahore Fort and it belonged to Shah Jahan’s time.

“It was necessary to restore this monument as it was dilapidating with the passage of time and had been neglected in the past. The WCLA started its restoration in 2020. Once the quadrangle is restored, it will be revived to its original glory and look. Soon the tourists will be able to see the restored monument,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2021