Archaeology dept to sensitise BMRCL workers on city’s heritage

After finding two cannons at the Metro construction site near Vanivilas Hospital, the state archaeology department is now planning to sensitise Metro workers on the city’s history. They hope that this will help the workers handle possible findings in future or even identify them.

The discovery of the two cannons at the Metro site has once again revived concerns with regard to protecting the heritage of old Bangalore, while allowing the construction of the Metro. Before the Metro construction had begun, many questions were raised with regard to allowing the construction work in these areas and a change in the route was suggested. However, with the project already having been sanctioned, there was not much to be done.

Since the cannons were found, questions have been raised with regard to how capable Metro workers are to identify artefacts of historical value or even understand the historical importance of the area. While, without any excavation, the finding of these cannons would not have been possible, the state archaeology department is planning to sensitise workers to the heritage of the area.

KR Ramakrishna, director, state archaeology department, said: “Considering that this is an old city, it is true that we have to be sensitive when it comes to areas which have historical prominence or are part of old Bangalore. I think it is important to sensitise the Metro workers to the heritage of the area. Our archaeologists can give them some inputs. However, this is in the infant stages of planning, considering that it was only recently that the cannons were found and we are still processing the findings,” he said.

When asked if any sensitising programmes were conducted earlier, he said: “The likelihood of finding something in areas such as Baiyappanahalli is less. However, since the cannons were found, preparation will be good.”

He, however, added that the likelihood of finding any more artefacts of heritage value are slim. “One of our archaeologists, Siddangowda, who was the former director of museums, had visited the site on Sunday. According to him, since the area is a very busy, the likelihood of finding anything is slim,” he said.

Ramakrishna said the state archaeology department is considering various possibilities of shifting the cannons to a suitable place. The initial plan was to put the cannons at the Venkatappa Art Gallery. But requests have been coming from other places too. “We have got requests to place the cannons at the National Military Memorial. The memorial is for soldiers who have died for our country at various points in history and the request to put up the cannon there is being considered,” he said.