Corporation prop for heritage buildings

CHENNAI: As part of its annual Budget announcement, the Chennai Corporation has said it would set up a special Heritage Cell to assist heritage building owners and conservationists in the renovation and maintenance of heritage structures.“Chennai has heritage buildings that are a several hundred years old, constructed at a time when civil engineering technologies were different. They require appropriate approaches to ensure proper upkeep of the buildings,” said Mayor Saidai S Duraisamy, as part of his Budget speech.“A Heritage Cell will be formed, consisting of experts from within and outside the Corporation, to assist in renovation and maintenance of heritage buildings. A mini resource centre will also be created for information on heritage structures,” Duraisamy announced.The move comes after a number of instances where heritage structures have been razed or have collapsed. Heritage enthusiasts have welcomed the intent of the Corporation in setting up the cell and have met the announcement with enthusiasm.“This is certainly good news. There is increasing interest from the Corporation in conserving heritage structures in the city. We are hopeful that the new Heritage Cell will be of great help to heritage conservation efforts,” said Sriram Venkatakrishnan, Chennai convenor of the Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).But despite the enthusiasm, Sriram has a word of caution for the Chennai Corporation. He points out that the CMDA has a similar Heritage Conservation Committee, that he says has been overrun with government representatives who out-vote informed heritage conservationists at every turn.“The Corporation has an opportunity to make a difference. It has to ensure the Cell comprises those who know the subject. It should be empowered and be part of the decision making process, and not just be asked to make recommendations that can be overlooked,” he suggested. “The focus must be conservation and restoration, and not the granting of permission to demolish heritage structures. I trust the Corporation’s Heritage Cell has the potential to do a much better job than the CMDA,” said Sriram.