LAHORE, Aug 18: A new roof structure to protect the original one of the historic Shish Mahal will be laid in October this year. A local construction company, which was awarded the contract by the federal archaeology department in March this year, will begin the work next week.

Unesco advisor Yasmin Lari told Dawn on Wednesday that the company would use wooden planks and copper sheets for the construction of the roof. She said the structure would be built five feet above the original roof.

Ms Lari said the temporary steel, which was placed by the department to harbour the rotten wooden truss of the Shish Mahal's roof in 1996-97, would be removed after the construction of the new structure. She said it would protect the monument from moisture and air pressure.

She said the Shish Mahal would be opened to the general public in the middle of next year after restoration of aiynakari (mirror work). However, scaffoldings to support the original roof of the Shish Mahal might not be removed, she added.

The stabilization process of the Shish Mahal's ceiling has been completed. A 1,700-foot Norwegian mesh has also been laid to provide a support to the sagging ceiling. According to international and national experts, the roof of the historic place may not be restored to its original state because of a major deflection.

The documentation of cement mortar, analysis of the existing rainwater drainage system and structural analysis have also been completed. The space between the Mughal beams has been documented to provide information regarding the top layer of the mortar. While applying gypsum mortar, gaps have also been created to allow inspection in case there is any de-bonding of the new and old layers.

Situated on the northwest corner of the fort, the Shish Mahal is one of the unique and most profusely decorated places of the Mughal period. It started crumbling in the early 1990s due to seepage.

The main decorative features of the Shish Mahal include the mirror work, convex glass mosaic with munnabat kari and stucco tracery, gilt work, pietra-dura work especially in the spandrels of the arches, and the marble screen of extraordinary beauty and perfection skill fully carved in geometrical and tendril designs.

The Norwegian government has given $900,000 to the Pakistan government for the conservation of the Shish Mahal. The federal archaeology department and Unesco will continue the conservation of the monument despite the Lahore Fort's handing over to the Punjab.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Secretary Kamran Rasool directed the authorities concerned to make proper arrangement for the training of craftsmen engaged in the restoration of the Shish Mahal. Ms Lari briefed him on the ongoing project.