Title - ASI clears shifting of Tipu’s armoury

The Archaeological Survey of India has given in-principle clearance to relocate Tipu Sultan’s armoury in Srirangapatna to pave the way for the Bangalore-Mysore track doubling work.Officials of South Western Railway told The Hindu here on Wednesday that State Archaeology Department had earlier given permission to relocate the armoury 150 metres away from its location.The Archaeological Survey of India has now given in-principle clearance to relocate the 200-year-old monument to ensure completion of track doubling work. “We are expecting an official communication from the Union government on shifting the monument,” they said.Ashok Kumar Mital, General Manager, South Western Railway, said that Prime Movers of the U.S., which has relocated several buildings in the past, has been consulted to relocate the armoury. The 800-tonne armoury would be shifted by the U.S. firm by using heavy machinery and jacks, he said.The estimated cost of relocating the monument has been put at Rs. 10 crore. A new location has been identified, he said.“Shifting of the armoury is a herculean task. But we cannot undertake doubling of track work without shifting it. This kind of an exercise will be taken up in India for the first time,” the Railway officials said.Besides the armoury, a burial ground and a temple have also come in the way of completion of the railway line, they said.