Cantt Church Tower, kos minars to get facelift

ASI gives nod to Karnal Smart City for their beautification

Tribune News Service

Karnal, January 23

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has given its nod to Karnal Smart City Ltd to take up beautification work of Cantonment Church Tower, the area around it and two kos minars. These are part of the proposed heritage corridor under the Smart City project.

“We had an online meeting with the officials of the ASI on Thursday in which we had presented the drawing of the heritage corridor. The ASI has given approval in principle for the beautification of Cantonment Church Tower and kos minars under the heritage corridor project. We are yet to get the written NOC,” said Nishant Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, who is also the CEO of Karnal Smart City Ltd.

Karnal Smart City has proposed a 3 km heritage corridor starting from Geeta Dwar to Karan Gate. This corridor is essential for the development of cultural tourism of the city. It will increase awareness about the city heritage among the residents of the district, Yadav added.

Cantonment Church Tower is a 35m tall tower which was constructed in 1806 AD. A graveyard of European soldiers is on the left side of the church tower. The design strategy is to minimally interfere with the building structure and enhance the surrounding areas through the provision of architectural lighting, articulated streetlights, repair of broken pathways, proposing new connecting pathways and landscaping on the existing greens, Yadav maintained.

“The proposal also includes creating an arrival experience by proposing an entry from the graveyard side which in turn creates curiosity for the visitors before arriving the actual monument,” he said.

The design also includes way finding and information signages along with temporary parking for the visitors. This will further increase the visibility of the Church Tower from the main road and increase the footfall of the site, he maintained.

Two out of three kos minars have been identified by Smart City — one at Minar Road and the other at Transport Nagar, Sector 4. The design strategy is to create a plaza around the kos minars by providing seating spaces, adding way finding signage and information boards leading to the minars, proposing articulated light poles and provision of dustbins, the CEO said.