The museum authority had to toss out a rotten carpet a month ago, which stank after getting wet. [break]
According to museum authority, several rooms of the top floor have been affected by the seepage posing threat to historical relics, artifacts, and sculptures. Sanitation plan and electrical wiring diagrams have also been destroyed by the seepage.
“No one has any idea about the palace´s sanitation plan and electrical wiring,” Communication Officer of the museum, Rohit Dhungana said, adding, “Several parts of the walls are torn apart when a pipe of bathroom bursts or problems of electricity surfaces.” Dhungana said that lack of proper maintenance has been causing further damages to the palace.
The palace was built in 1963.
The museum authority has already reported the problems to the Ministry of Culture but hasn´t got any response. The seepage has also destroyed wall cotton of the Dolpa Baithak.
Dhungana said that the cotton cover used on the walls are rare and cannot be easily found even in international market. According to the museum authority, it has taken several measures to stop the seepage.
“Despite several attempts, we have not been able to stop the leakage,” Dhungana said. Grasses are seen growing on the walls that are affected by leakages. Dhungana said that the museum authority has proposed to the ministry to build additional story to avoid leakage.
Likewise, a house inside museum, where a Rana-period prime minister Ranodip Rana was assassinated, is on the verge of crumbling. Ranodip was a younger brother of Janga Bahadur Rana, who became prime minister of Nepal and was killed inside the palace.
The former royal palace has become a tourist hub after it was converted to museum on June 15, 2008.
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