Munguntiwar seeks urgent repair of cracks in Chandrapur's Jatpura Gate stonework

MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar has noticed cracks in the stonework on the inner side of the Jatpura Gate in Chandrapur. The gate bears witness to the splendour of the Gond era and is a legacy of Chandrapur's historic identity. Mungantiwar has taken the initiative to protect it and has written to the Collector of Chandrapur and to the Superintending Archaeologist of the Mumbai Circle of the Archaeological Survey of India.

In the letter, he says the joints between the stones on the inner side of the gate have opened at many places and large cracks have formed in the structure. He wants prompt action so that the monument, which has seen centuries of history, is not neglected with the passage of time and its safety is not put at risk. He has also noted that experts need to examine what effect this condition could have on the strength of the structure. In his view, timely preventive measures and technical repairs would avoid possible damage later.

The letter asks expert officers and engineers of the archaeology department to inspect the gate on site immediately. It also asks for a detailed technical assessment of the joints between the stones, the cracks, the wear of the structure and the stability of the stones. Mungantiwar has suggested that if the inspection finds an immediate danger to the structure, necessary preventive measures should be taken to avert an accident.

He said the repairs should not be superficial and that care must be taken to keep the original architectural style and historic character of the monument intact. He has also asked that a technical plan and cost estimate for the repairs be prepared in line with archaeological principles, and that the work be taken up on priority.

He has underlined the need for regular maintenance, periodic technical inspections and a permanent system to monitor the condition of the structure, so that the gate is not damaged in future. He has also asked for a detailed report on what the inspection found, what the technical assessment says, how the repairs are proposed to be carried out and what timeline has been set for the work.

Mungantiwar pointed out that once a historic monument is damaged, it is often difficult to restore its original form. He therefore says action should not wait until the damage grows, and protective measures should be taken in time. He has taken a firm stand that the Jatpura Gate, an important heritage of Chandrapur's historic identity and Gond-era splendour, should be conserved and preserved by scientific methods and kept safe for future generations.