A 200-year-old wayside shrine (kurishadi) at Konthuruthy in Thevara, Kochi, was successfully relocated 26 meters to make way for railway track expansion. The St. John’s Nepumsian Church preserved this Portuguese-style heritage structure using innovative lifting technology, marking India’s first such operation for a wayside cross.
Preservation Effort
Built in 1823 alongside the original church, the 15-foot-tall shrine with a 6-meter base holds deep historical and spiritual significance for the local community. Facing land acquisition by Indian Railways, church authorities opted for relocation onto their own property rather than demolition.
Technical Operation
Haryana-based Sriram Building and Lifting used 25 hydraulic jacks and gears to lift the intact structure 5 feet off the ground over nine days, then shifted it precisely 26 meters. The ₹4.5 lakh project, started March 16, completed by March 26 without damaging any antiquity.
Community Significance
Church treasurer P.C. Antony emphasized maintaining worship continuity at the same shrine, safeguarding regional history amid infrastructure development. This approach blends faith, engineering, and conservation uniquely in Kerala.
