Patna: After rotting and rusting on the premises of Patna Museum for nearly 18 months, a British-era steamroller has been rescued by road construction authorities that capped a dramatic journey for the vintage machine that has survived against the odds.
The nearly century-old steam roadroller, manufactured by the John Fowler and Co in Leeds, England, was in possession of the Patna district board till about two years ago, lying decrepit in a corner of the now-razed Patna Collectorate.
It was brought to the the Patna Museum after a rescue operation on the intervening night of August 24-25, 2022, delighting heritage lovers and legacy transport experts in India and around the globe.
The district board had donated the roadroller to the museum for “proudly displaying” it as a “priceless gem” after its old buildings and other historic structures were demolished in 2022 as part of the Patna Collectorate redevelopment project.
While the museum authorities initially showed interest in its upkeep and restoration, the roadroller became a victim of government authorities’ apathy a few months after its arrival despite it becoming a hit among young visitors and even spawning a selfie craze.
As time passed, vegetation took over its huge wheels. The monsoon rain last year further corroded its old body while the original chimney, which blew steam in its heyday, suffered damage and got separated from the machine.
This rare piece, however, had a change of fortune after it was recently rescued and given a basic restoration. A senior official said the roadroller was taken out of the museum for keeping in custody of the road construction department.
Sources said it was transported out of the premises in a “hush-hush manner” recently after the museum closed for visitors for its ongoing redevelopment work.pti

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