LAHORE, March 31: Restoration of the Tollinton Market is in full swing and scheduled to be completed by the end of December at an estimated cost of Rs17 million.

Dismantling of the market roofs over the left and right wings and the verandah around it has been completed. Only the roof over the entrance hall has been left intact. It will also be dismantled in case the consultant advises for covering the entrance hall and passages opening towards the Old Anarkali and the Lahore Museum with gable type slanting roofs in accordance with the original 1864 design. Gable roofs had been replaced by flat roofs around 1920. The verandahs around the market will also have slanting roofs.

The market is proposed to be covered by wooden roofs supported by iron girders in accordance with the original design. Its walls will be plastered by the white lime plaster. Glazed tiles will be used in the floors.

The market will house a craft bazaar and the city museum after restoration in its original shape. The craft bazaar will be located towards the Old Anarkali side while the museum will be established in the old meat market hall and its side halls. The craft bazaar will consist of 14 shops with inter-floors.

Arts and crafts and food courts are expected to be built on the eight-kanal plot behind the main building covering eight kanals of land. An underground parking may also be built at the backside of the main building. The mosque towards the museum side will be rebuilt after relocation.

The market will have four entries, but the main entry will be through the hall in the centre of the building from the Shahrah-i -Quaid-i-Azam side. A beautiful fountain will be installed in the hall providing access to the museum to be located on the right and the craft bazaar on the left. The hall will also be accessible from the backside of the building. Small entries will also be provided to the museum and crafts bazaar from the eight feet verandah. These entries will be opposite the main hall entries.

Restoration work is in progress on the 136-year-old building these days after remaining suspended for about three months following the ejectment of some shopkeepers who were lingering on their stay pending the settlement of their claims for allotment of shops in the new market in Shadman.

Governor Khalid Maqbool had inaugurated the Tollinton Market Renovation Project in July last year. The Tajdeed-i-Lahore Committee and the Parks and Horticulture Authority are undertaking its reconstruction and restoration work.