The 2.3 km moat surrounding the historic Fort St. George in Chennai is all set ward off decades-old challenge — a steady flow of sullage from Tamil Nadu’s top government complex.
The moat, dating back to 1760s and built in the wake of a French attack, became a waste water chamber over the years, leaving only a 500-metre bit near the flag-hoisting area dry.
The restoration plan for the channel has been launched by the Archaeological Survey of India - Chennai Circle, the Army, and the Public Works Department. ASI and State officials held a meeting on the conservation of the fort complex, which draws many tourists on Friday. A revamp of the moat was thus decided.
“We discussed conservation of heritage structures. The moat was one. The modalities are being worked out. The Army too will be roped in as they take care of over 70 per cent of the complex,” said K. Amarnath Ramakrishna, Superintendent Archaeologist, ASI (Chennai Circle).
A big section of the moat, around 30 feet deep and 50 feet wide, is used to hold the waste flowing from the fort complex. This follows sea incursion into the Cooum river and North Buckinghman Canal.
Allowing sea water in, the ASI says, will endanger the complex. The sluice gates at the entry (southwest side near War Memorial) and exit (southeast side at Napier Bridge) were therefore closed many years ago. Since then, the moat has been treated merely as a ditch. Along the 500-metre flag hoist area, however, it is maintained in its original form, and both ends of the moat here are blocked.
Work will start in the coming weeks with a deadline ahead of the northeast monsoon.
Officials said the existing seven sluice gates (originally 13) will remain closed and the revamped moat will turn into a normally dry channel, used only to collect excess rainwater.
“Sludge will be removed without damaging the heritage structure. The idea is to restore the British-era water lines that prevented flooding here,” said an official.
