The Chandigarh Administration is mulling to bring in a policy to undertake the restoration process of private heritage buildings in the city.
The Administration is currently undertaking restoration process of heritage buildings in Capitol Complex, Sector 1 and government buildings in Sector 17 here.
For restoration of heritage structures to its original glory in Chandigarh, the Administration had enlisted heritage in three categories namely heritage zones, heritage precincts and heritage buildings in the city.
The private buildings enlisted as heritage included SCOs/SCFs, City Centre Sector 17, Shop-cum-offices along Madhya Marg, Sectors 7 and 26, Shop-cum-offices along Dakshin Marg Sector 22, four private residences among others.
“To begin the restoration process of private heritage buildings in City Centre Sector 17, a policy decision is required to be made. At present, there are several ownership disputes in SCOs/SCFs in City Centre Sector 17,” said a senior officer of the UT Administration while talking to The Pioneer.
He said, “The cost of the project for restoration of private buildings, the cost share by the owners of these buildings among other things will be worked out under the policy. Most of the buildings in City Centre are occupied by tenants and there are several issues related to the ownership rights. All such issues have to be dealt with before beginning the restoration process.”
“Initially, the private buildings in Sector 17 will be taken up under the restoration project. The objective is to prevent further damage to the exteriors and restore the original character of these buildings besides removing the encroachments in interiors,” he added.
Notably, the architectural controls, zoning regulations and building bylaws had been put in place, for commercial and residential buildings abutting the shopping streets wherein the entire external facades and internal planning was to compulsorily conform to the standard design provided by the city planners to maintain the original character of the city.
However, both intermingled commercial and residential areas are today witnessing violations of these rules and regulations. The violations in Sector 17 here include coverage of balconies and courtyards, construction beyond zones areas, encroachments of public corridors, breach of frame controls, to name a few.
About the ongoing restoration work, the UT senior officer said, “The Administration has already begun the process of restoration of Central State Library, Town Hall Building among other government buildings in Sector 17 here. The restoration process of exteriors and interiors in Capitol Complex is also underway.”
“The UT Engineering Department is undertaking steam cleaning for restoration of these decade old buildings. As the steam process is unlikely to cause any more damage than washing with water or scrubbing with stiff brushes, we have followed this process in Capitol Complex,” he added.
Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex was declared a World Heritage site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in the year 2016. The Capitol Complex is one of the architectural landmarks designed by French architect Le Corbusier, who had led a team of European planners to design Chandigarh.
The buildings of the Capitol Complex were inaugurated in the period 1953 to 1968. The main buildings in Capitol Complex are the Secretariat complex, the Legislative assembly complex and the High Court. The 'Open Hand' monument, the symbol of Chandigarh, is also in the Complex.
The UT Administration had appointed a consultant to prepare a conservation and management plan for the Capitol Complex after it was declared a world heritage site. After completion of restoration process of buildings in the Capitol Complex, the Administration will also submit a report to the UNESCO in this regard.