AGARTALA, June 19 (TIWN): Puspavanta Palace at Kunjavan, constructed in 1917 by Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya, is currently being used as the state's Raj Bhavan would be replaced by new earthquake-proof Raj Bhawan at Agartala Secretariat complex very soon.

The Rs. 30 crore project work is expected to be completed by 3 months, said State Public Work Department (PWD) Engineer in Chief Sunil Bhowmik on Thursday.

Talking to TIWN at the civil secretariat on Thursday Bhowmik said that due to rain and other several reasons the construction work for the new Raj Bhawan has been delayed but the work has been geared up now and is expected to be completed by 3 months from now.

Adding to that Bhowmik informed that interior structure of the building is left to be build up now whereas the other works like building the two domes has been completed.

He said, “The 13^th Finance Commission has sanctioned Rs. 30 crore for the project work.”  He further added, “But, as of now the PWD has received Rs. 23 crore, might be the rest of the amount is left with the state Finance department for the project work,”

The Mackintosh Burn Construction Company has been assigned to build the two-storied building with an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore.

The state government  has decided to renovate the Puspavanta palace, as the former Governor of the state Tripura D Y Patil was keen to quit this "endangered building" vulnerable to earthquakes.

"King Birendra Kishore Manikya (1909-1923) had built the Puspavanta palace in 1916 in accordance with the then architectural methods. Hence, it could not be made earthquake-resistance.

"This has been identified as a heritage building not only because of its association with royalty but also because poet Rabindra Nath Tagore and other contemporary great personalities had stayed in Puspavanta palace as royal guests," Bhowmik said.