Restoration of a 300-year-old bridge in Babol, Mazandaran Province, has been initiated after years of anticipation for measures to return the historical structure to its original form.
During a provincial trip in 2015, Cabinet members had vowed to allocate a budget for reparation of the bridge, but the sum was pledged to be supplied after the completion of general restoration plans specially aiming to recover its historical features.
The operations have begun now after about three years, according to deputy head of the provincial office of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization.
“After years of waiting and deep concerns of the public and NGOs, the plan has finally kicked off,” Abdolmotalleb Sharifi said Monday.
The project is being carried out by ICHHTO in cooperation with the provincial office of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development and Babol’s Municipality. Around 6 billion rials ($143,000) have been envisioned for the first stage.
“ICHHTO will supply 1.5 billion rials ($36,000), the municipality has agreed to provide two billion rials ($47,000) and the rest is to be paid by the ministerial office,” Sharifi explained.
Prominent Landmark
The bridge was built in Barforoush Village (present-day Babol) crossing over Babolroud River in 1767 by order of Mohammad Hassan Khan, ancestor of Agha Mohannad Khan, the first king of the Qajar Dynasty. It was inscribed in the list of National Heritage Sites in 1977.
With its architectural style of the Safavid era (1501–1736) using egg whites and Sarouj (traditional Iranian water-resistant mortar), Mohammad Hassan Khan Bridge is a distinctive landmark of Mazandaran Province.
It is 140 meters long and six meters wide and stands 11 meters above the riverbed.
Until early 2016, it still served as a passageway for both light and heavy-duty vehicles, but the two bridges that came into operation in its vicinity finally lifted the burden of traffic from the historical monument.
However, multiple components have been added to the structure through different eras marring its original shape.
The restoration plan aims to remove the extensions installed on its pavement, concrete fences and the main structure with the aid of an experienced contractor.
“The asphalt on its deck will be replaced with cobblestones, the way it was originally built 300 years ago, and all the cracks and grooves will be repaired,” Sharifi said, adding that the team has set a target to finish a major part of the project within three months so that it can once again capture the eyes of tourists and lovers of cultural heritage.
