Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
17th April 2024 Issue no. 701

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Locked out

The Napier Museum, one of the 'must sees' for any visitor to the Indian state capital city of Kerala, was closed for two days due to the door key jamming in the lock. After several locksmiths tackled the problem the museum finally opened after the offending key was reground.

No ordinary key though, according to Museum officials. "It's a complicated key, and opening the door with it involves a very complicated process," said Museum superintendent Manjula. "You have to twist it four times in the lock and in four separate directions before the door is opened."

The Museum was last locked using the key on Thursday evening. On Friday morning, much to their shock, the Museum officials found that the door would not open. The locksmiths who came first admitted defeat a few hours later. Consequently, the door remained shut to visitors and the staff on Friday. The lock and key offered stiff resistance on Saturday also.

The key, which is a very old one, had been worn out from use. So we took it to a blacksmith who ground it back to shape," the Museum superintendent said.

The construction of the Napier Museum was completed in 1880. Since there is no spare key, the Museum officials are desperate. They do not rule out a repeat performance by the lock and key. "We will be holding a high-level meeting of officials to decide on what to do about it," the superintendent said.

6th July 2011