Latest news with #HeritageConservationCommittee
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
New Heritage Conservation Committee orders audit of past restoration approvals in India's first UNESCO World Heritage City of Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad: In a decisive move to preserve the historic character of Ahmedabad, India's first UNESCO World Heritage City, the newly restructured Heritage Conservation Committee has hit pause on nearly 40 heritage restoration approvals that the previous panel issued earlier this year. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The committee flagged irregularities in two key meetings held this year, where most members were municipal staff and not officially appointed conservation experts. A subcommittee will now review the building permissions across five wards. The HCC is a key body responsible for recommending conservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse of heritage properties within the Unesco-inscribed World Heritage City zone. This decision came during the 95th HCC meeting held on May 20, and concerns actions taken in the 93rd and 94th meetings conducted on Jan 22 and Feb 12 earlier this year. According to a senior official in the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), the legitimacy of those two earlier meetings has been questioned. A senior municipal official told TOI, "A majority of the members present during the two HCC meetings were municipal employees, not state-appointed HCC members. So, the recommendations from the meetings will be examined by a newly formed subcommittee." These decisions involve permissions for 39 buildings across five wards in the Walled City. Most of these applications, 19, are for residential and commercial properties in Khadia, including areas such as Sankdi Sheri, Fatasha ni Pol, Sevaka ni Wadi, Akasheth Kuva ni Pol (including Dakorewali Khadki), Ranchoddji Mandir, Raipur Chakla to Sarangpur Chakla, and Verai Pada ni Pol. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Additionally, there are five applications from Dariapur ward (including Dandigara ni Pol and Jadabhagat ni Pol), eight from Kalupur ward (covering Gosaji Maharaja ni Pol, Raja Mehta ni Pol, Haji Patel ni Pol, Gheekanta Road, and Chippa Pol), five from Jamalpur ward, and one from Raikhad ward. The AMC official further said, "It was the arbitrariness of the decision-making process that led the now municipal commissioner-led HCC to form a subcommittee to review all 39 decisions."
Time of India
18-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Restoration works almost over, KP set to get back its old glory
1 2 Nagpur: Once a centrepiece of heritage, Kasturchand Park is now poised to reclaim its past glory. The state Public Works Department (PWD) has nearly completed an extensive restoration and conservation drive at this iconic landmark, signalling a fresh chapter for the beloved Grade-1 heritage site. Steeped in history and since long a gathering space for civic events, cultural fairs, and casual strolls, the park's charm faded over the years due to neglect and exposure to anti-social elements. But now, as the final touches are being added to its historic stone bandstand and surrounding structures, a new energy is being breathed into the space. Initiated with the nod from the Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC), the project included a thorough structural and aesthetic revival of the park's stonework. According to senior officials at the PWD, over 90% of the restoration work on the bandstand and nearby monuments is complete. Alongside, a separate beautification project is underway under which a 200-foot flagpole and amphitheatre are being created. Both projects are expected to wrap up by mid-June. "We've restored the original stone elements using crushed stone material, and wherever necessary, replaced damaged parts, including the nets on the upper floor," said a senior PWD engineer. "The flooring work is the only portion left, and we expect it to be completed soon. More than Rs5 crore has been spent on both the projects," he added. The once-decaying structure suffered from water seepage, blackened columns, broken nets, damaged flooring, and deteriorated parapets. Today, with care and craftsmanship — including the expertise of specially brought-in Rajasthani artisans — the monument is witnessing a careful revival, true to its historic essence. But restoration is just one piece of the puzzle. To ensure the monument's protection, the PWD is considering installing a barricade around the structure to deter further damage by unauthorised visitors. "It's important that after all this effort, the structure remains preserved for future generations," said the official. Plans are also afoot for the beautification of the larger park area. The PWD is in talks with the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to ensure a steady water supply, which would be essential for the upkeep of newly-landscaped areas. While preserving history remains the core of the project, the vision doesn't stop at conservation. "With ample parking and open space, this could be turned into a major tourist attraction," noted the PWD official. "We've even proposed integrating a sporting arena within the premises, so the park can be a heritage-cum-recreational hub for locals and visitors alike."
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Kolkata Corporation drafts rules for uniform standards for conservation, management of heritage structures in city
Written by Sharadiya Mitra Kolkata city's right architectural legacy stands poised for consistent preservation, as the civic body has recently drafted a set of updated rules to ensure uniform standards for the conservation and management of all listed heritage structures in the city. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has forwarded the draft guidelines to the West Bengal government for approval so that the architectural relics are conserved through enforceable preservation rules. Experts feel that this step would significantly bring in a comprehensive system to protect the heritage structures dotting Kolkata city despite decades of identification and documentation. Despite having a structured approach, the existing conservation rules and grading system formulated by a team led by historian Prof Barun De had left many buildings vulnerable to alterations, neglect, and demolition. 'We have prepared a detailed draft that can truly change the way heritage is preserved in Kolkata. What Kolkata needs now is not just admiration for its past, but commitment to its future. These rules are a start—but only if they're allowed to take effect,' said an official from the Heritage Conservation Committee. 'But until the government clears it, our hands are tied,' he added. Prof Barun De-led subcommittee was tasked with reviewing and refining the list of heritage buildings compiled in 1998, as many entries were found to be either inaccurate, outdated, or lacking historical significance. The revised document grouped 611 buildings under Grade I, which stipulated no structural changes, 197 buildings under Grade IIA that allowed minor additions in open spaces, and 109 structures under Grade IIB that permitted minor modifications under supervision. In 1997, the Government of West Bengal formed an expert committee to identify heritage structures within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) limits. By 1998, a detailed list was submitted, and the KMC Act was amended to include a section dedicated to heritage protection. Although KMC acknowledged the revised list, the lack of proper regulatory support meant conservation efforts remained largely symbolic. (The writer is an intern with the Indian Express)
