Alhamra Hall roof damaged by rains

By Shoaib Ahmed

LAHORE: Rainwater has made holes in the roof of Hall III of the Alhamra Art Centre and the water leakage has damaged a new carpet.

Asghar Hussain Gillani, LAC executive director, said that the roof of Hall III had been damaged by the rain. He said that the LAC would hire builders to repair the roof. Work on the roof would start by next week, he added. He said that the LAC had recently bought new carpets at a cost of Rs 45 million.

Earlier, the roofs of Hall I and Hall II also faced the same dilemma. The roof of Hall I collapsed in December 1998 due to lack of maintenance.

Nayyer Ali Dada, architect of the Alhamra building, talking to Daily Times on Wednesday, said the LAC management had an insensitive attitude towards the building. Dada said he was never told about the leakage in the roof of Hall III. He said the LAC was incapable of taking care of the building and it always took steps after the damage had been done.

To a question, Dada said the LAC must chalk out a strategy for the proper maintenance of the Alhamra building. LAC sources said that the roof of the art gallery was also leaking and paintings kept there were not safe.

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