VDA to engage INTACH to preserve its docus, maps
Varanasi: The Varanasi Development Authority has decided to engage the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) to provide technical assistance for the preservation and maintenance of important records, files and cadastral maps stored for years in its office's record room.VDA announced on Saturday that, in view of the necessity of preserving old documents and records, including maps, the officer in-charge of archives gave a proposal in this connection.
It was tabled before vice-chairman Pulkit Garg and secretary Ved Prakash Mishra. Following this, the process for financial and administrative approval began. Upon receiving approval from the VDA vice-chairman and secretary, a team of experts from INTACH, led by its director Dharmendra Mishra, will survey the current condition of the documents and maps stored in the record room and take necessary actions for their physical preservation. Notably, some of the files to be preserved contain documents dating back to 1950, which are of significant administrative importance.The proposed plan also includes provisions for training relevant staff to make the record management system more effective and secure. This training will ensure the organised maintenance of maps and records. Additionally, a scientific system of
Integrated Pest Management
(IPM) will be implemented. IPM is a comprehensive pest management approach that balances mechanical, physical, biological, and minimal chemical measures as needed to protect documents from termites, insects, mould, and other factors. This method not only ensures the long-term safety of the stored materials but is also environmentally friendly.
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All procedures have been followed," Assistant Engineer, Directorate of Archaeology, Santosh Namdeo, told TOI. Sources from the department said that during the conservation efforts undertaken around a decade ago, some weight was put on the roof of the structure, which also added to the deterioration of its base. "A detailed and long evaluation process was adopted before starting the conservation efforts. Its platform or the base on which it stands has been weakened. It was a months-long process of evaluation. Thereafter, a detailed report was submitted to the govt. It was then evaluated by the govt before giving a go-ahead. It was only after due approvals that the pillars were opened up. The pillars will be re-installed after conservation," Conservation Architect from INTACH, Raghav Sharma, told TOI. Convener of the INTACH Bhopal chapter, MM Upadhyay, said, "We always ensure that there are no changes in the structures during conservation. Every minute detail is taken care of." 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