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Damaged Gandhi samadhi needs replacement

Engineers have found the damage to the granite structure at Mahatma Gandhi's samadhi at Rajghat to be beyond repair and are planning to replace the entire slab. The samadhi was damaged by a deranged man on July 25.

CPWD engineers have decided to replace the granite as it is difficult to repair the damaged portion with stone blocks of the same colour and texture. This is likely to cost Rs 600,000, with the required black granite to be brought from Madurai or Bangalore, sources said.

However, with Independence Day nearing and Gandhi Jayanti only about two months away, experts have decided to carry out a temporary repair job by hiding the shattered corner with a layer of granite placed all over the structure.

The granite samadhi structure, made of nine 2.5 feet thick granite blocks each weighing two tonnes, was completed in 1964 with stones quarried from Madurai.

As people woke up to the shattering news of the damage to the samadhi, suggestions poured in from various quarters about protecting its sanctity.

Employees at Rajghat suggested that big iron grills be constructed around the samadhi to protect it from such vandals in future.

Though the gates of the samadhi are closed at 2000 hours, people can enter it from the adjoining Vir Bhoomi, the samadhi of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

For Rajballabh, 35, the man who damaged the structure, it was not a first attempt. Earlier, during a dharna, he had broken the glass cover of the flame and was subsequently arrested.

Some organisations have suggested round-the-clock ceremonial military guard, similar to the one at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate to ensure that the samadhi, a national memorial, was never left unattended.

UNI

EARLIER REPORT:
Mentally unstable man vandalises Rajghat

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