This story is from October 31, 2020

Delhi: Connaught Place heritage set to get a prop-up

Taking note of the deteriorating conditions of buildings in Connaught Place, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has sought the assistance of Heritage Conservation Committee and Land and Development Office on their conservation.
Delhi: Connaught Place heritage set to get a prop-up
File photo
NEW DELHI: Taking note of the deteriorating conditions of buildings in Connaught Place, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has sought the assistance of Heritage Conservation Committee and Land and Development Office on their conservation.
At a meeting called by the NDMC chairman and attended by the chief architect and officials of L&DO and HCC, a committee was formed to find solutions to the problem.
“It was decided that L&DO would help in accessing original plans of buildings, which will be restored digitally and then compared with the current status to determine deviations from the original. The report will be shared with HCC, which has expertise on the subject and can suggest the course of action,” said an official.
To begin with, NDMC has managed to retrieve the original plans of Regal block and is now redrawing it on a computer for comparisons. “In this pilot project, we will try to find a solution for leakages and to stabilise a portion of the building. But yes, it will be a long and cumbersome process,” said the official.
The need to involve other agencies for restoration of these buildings arose after NDMC’s architecture department conducted a survey of buildings in CP on the direction of Delhi High Court. Then, when a portion of Regal Building collapsed in August, NDMC staff conducted a survey and shared 250-300 pictures with HCC, showing the derelict condition of buildings, mostly built around 1930. The civic body requested HCC to carry out an urgent inspection. “HCC has expertise on this subject and they can better guide us,” explained an NDMC official. TOI contacted and messaged Ruby Kaushal, member secretary, HCC, but she declined a response.
Owners and tenants of commercial properties have pursued NDMC in the past for repairs, but not many were successful in their efforts. An official argued, “The court has questioned us when we permitted building occupiers to carry out repairs. It is a heritage area and we have to deal with everything carefully.”
The New Delhi Traders Association alleges unwarranted delays in repair permissions. “What’s the point of such an exercise when stakeholders are not involved? We live here and can give better suggestions than others,” said Atul Bhargava, president, NDTA.
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