Latest news with #LaMartiniereSchools
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Tread middle path: Heritage panel tells school, KMC
1 2 Kolkata: The West Bengal Heritage Commission on Sunday urged La Martiniere Schools and the civic body to tread a middle path on the eve of a court-directed joint inspection of school, where even regular maintenance work had been affected after the school management became embroiled in a controversy last year. This path should balance the practical needs of maintaining a nearly two-century-old school premises while ensuring the sanctity of the heritage buildings is retained. The controversy arose when the school paved the heritage southern steps in the boys' school with marble tiles without seeking permission from the KMC heritage committee. A senior West Bengal Heritage Commission functionary told TOI neither the commission nor the civic body would pose a hurdle for the maintenance of the buildings at the twin La Martiniere Schools or endanger anyone, be it students, teachers, or staff by stopping the school authorities from carrying out preventive maintenance work. He added the school would have to adhere to heritage norms. "I wish to assure La Martiniere authorities that if they submit a detailed proposal on the urgent preventive restoration work and the work is overseen by a restoration architect empanelled with KMC, it will be approved. We do not want seepage to irreversibly damage to the buildings," the official said. Following a nudge from the KMC last year, La Martiniere appointed KMC-empanelled restoration architect Partha Ranjan Das to advise the school on repairs and restoration of the heritage buildings and oversee the work. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Descubra ofertas de voos imperdíveis Voos | Anúncios de Pesquisa Saiba Mais Undo Das told TOI he had listed the work in two segments: critical, which had to be immediately addressed, and non-critical, which could be taken up later. The heritage commission official pointed out the school's plea to delist the heritage properties led to a trust deficit and raised questions about the management's intention. "Heritage buildings have to adhere to certain guidelines," the commission official added. He added that govt authorities in charge of heritage upkeep also needed to be practical to specific situational needs. The Commission expected a pragmatic and sensible way out through discussions. A vacation bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh and Justice Smita Das De on Friday had directed the team of two KMC executive engineers, a West Bengal Heritage Commission representative and a representative from the three petitioners, including the school authorities, to inspect the school on Monday and decide on the urgency of the repairs, as pleaded by the school. The bench directed the KMC and the heritage commission not to wait for the court order to take a decision but submit a report to court on June 5.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
La Martiniere files appl with KMC, seeks urgent repair nod
1 2 Kolkata: La Martiniere Schools submitted an urgent application to Kolkata Municipal Corporation on Friday, seeking approval for urgent repair and restoration work on their premises that are listed as Grade I heritage structures. This follows the Calcutta High Court's directive that the school must obtain heritage panel approval before initiating any repairs at both boys' and girls' schools. La Martiniere Secretary Supriyo Dhar filed the application with the municipal secretary, buildings department director general, and environment and heritage department. The urgency stems from a significant safety incident on May 21, when a large section of plaster (10ft×3ft) fell 40ft from the ceiling to the ground floor at the boys' school. Dhar emphasised that whilst the incident occurred during school closure, such falling debris could have caused severe injuries or fatalities had the school been operational. He stressed that heritage structures require consistent maintenance to ensure occupant safety, noting that the incident indicates broader structural issues needing immediate attention. The official also said the application represented a careful balance between heritage preservation obligations and fundamental duty to ensure safety of students, staff and visitors. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The school acknowledged the legal protocols for heritage building permissions, including mayor-in-council sanctions following Municipal Building Committee and Heritage Conservation Committee recommendations. They expressed willingness to incorporate West Bengal Heritage Commission's guidance, contrasting their previous request for removal from the heritage list. The application detailed multiple communications to the civic body in March and May 2023, seeking urgent repair permissions. KMC-empanelled architect Partha Ranjan Das had written to the environment and heritage director general, requesting approval for essential preventive restoration work. Das, appointed to advise both schools on maintaining two-century-old buildings along AJC Bose Road, sought nod for basic repairs including crack plastering, damp treatment, painting, and bathroom tile replacement. Das suggested that routine maintenance should occur during school closure, particularly at girls' school due to security considerations. He proposed that more substantial repairs, including sagging roof issues and unauthorised marble tile installations, could be addressed later. But KMC denied all permissions. Dhar referenced two court orders from Feb 13, 2025, and May 22, 2025, regarding repair work restrictions and KMC's reporting obligations. He noted that these orders suggest KMC's active involvement in heritage preservation and timely response to applications like the one submitted Friday. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
