Chennai Port takes up renovation of its heritage structure

The century-old “Hydraulic Power House,” also known as the Stone Building, located at Chennai Port, is being completely renovated and turned into a museum by port officials. It is situated in the west quay, close to Dr. Ambedkar Dock.

The project is a component of the third-oldest port in the Indian subcontinent’s on-campus heritage protection efforts. The goal is to boost tourism by showcasing Chennai’s maritime heritage. It is the first heritage building to be restored on the port grounds, which are also home to buildings and monuments from the British era, including the more than 100-year-old Stocked Anchor, the old Harbour Police Station, and a commemorative plaque placed by the Prince of Wales on the start of the Madras Harbour Works in 1875.

With an eastern entrance and breakwaters, the then-Madras Port began commercial operations in 1881. It’s interesting to note that this ancient stone building was constructed in 1920, the same year the port received its first pier. Covering 5,974 square feet, it is the oldest building on the port campus. Previously used extensively for port activities, the facility is currently being used as an EB substation.

It is a magnificent example of the Madras Terrace roof structure in action. However, the outside is covered in vegetation, the inner wall’s plastering has peeled off, and the windows and doors have been harmed over time. In light of this, the Tamil Nadu government’s PWD Building Centre and Conservation Division (BCCD) has been given the task of restoring the Stone Building by the Chennai Port Authority.

The cost of restoring the structure would exceed 5 crore. This year’s June is probably when the restoration work will start, and it will be finished in the following six months. We plan to turn it into a museum after it has been renovated. Cruise passengers and other guests will be brought to this museum, which will have historical photos and records of Chennai Port, according to Sunil Paliwal, chairperson of the Chennai Port Authority.

“A wall clock dating back to the 1920’s has been restored and put in use,” he said, pointing out that not many artifacts have also been recovered. The refurbished lobby of the port’s centennial building now features a miniature model of the port, a history clock, and sepia-tinted photographs.

Port officials stated that they intended to connect Stone Building and the cruise terminal to allow passengers to enter directly. During the fiscal year 2024–2025, 19 cruise ships visited the Chennai Port, transporting 40,031 passengers. Other buildings, such the former Harbour police station and the Dufferin Tower, which housed lighting systems to direct ships’ entry into the port, are also scheduled for renovation. For the first time, PWD will be rehabilitating a legacy building that is within the Center’s jurisdiction. The traditional technology used to rehabilitate similar structures around Tamil Nadu will be used to renovate the “Stone Building.