Paralakhemundi: Brundaban Palace, one of the heritage buildings situated at Paralakhemundi in Gajapati district, is on the verge of extinction due to a lack of proper maintenance. The palace, also known as Basant Niwas, is now in a dilapidated condition.
Notably, Gajapati district, which was carved out of Ganjam district, has many heritage and tourist sites. However, these sites are fast losing their existence due to a lack of proper upkeep. Basant Niwas carries a legacy of erstwhile Paralakhemundi royal Maharaja Goura Chandra Gajapati and his son Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati. The palace is spread over 17 acre of land on the bank of Mahendratanaya river.
According to some researchers, this palace was constructed in between 1890 to 1905 and the building plan was prepared by Italian architects. The Mahendratanaya river flowing on its backyard and the lush green cover makes it an absolute destination for picnickers and people interested in heritage sites. The palace is situated around 3 km from Paralakhemundi town and it used to be a summer retreat for the former royals of Paralakhemundi earning the name ‘Basant Niwas’. Tourists throng this palace to unwind in the natural surroundings and take a look at the beautiful architecture of the heritage building. People in large numbers also flock to this place mostly for picnic in the winter season. However, the Tourism department has failed to renovate this palace and the building is fast decaying due to a lack of necessary repair works. The state government had sanctioned funds for its renovation a few years back but sub-standard works were done on the palace. While miscreants decamped with some ancient artefacts, the workers pulled down the Ranikund and levelled the area during the renovation process. Pathways using paver blocks, sitting place and picnic arena were constructed during the renovation works undertaken by a consultancy agency.
However, the new constructions are getting destroyed due to sub-standard works. The maintenance of the palace is in disarray as the district tourism department has never spared a thought for its upkeep. Cracks have developed on the building and wild shrubs have popped out. Many portions of the palace are in decrepit condition. The terrace of the third floor of the palace has also sunk in one side. Cracks have also appeared on the large compound wall of the palace while plaster of the terrace has peeled off in most of places.
However, tourists and picnickers continue to throng the area. The tourists are mostly from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and people from various parts of the state. There is no permanent security guard or staff to guard the palace. A single contractual guard has to look after the whole palace and that too without any remuneration. He is neither given any allowance nor daily wage for his duty and thrives on the tips given to him by the tourists.
