Capital landmark Hall of Nations demolished, triggers outrage
OPPOSITION Hearing in HC pending, architect Raj Rewal calls it an ‘outrage’
About half a dozen bulldozers worked overnight on Sunday at Pragati Maidan to pull down five iconic buildings — Hall of Nations and Hall of Industries (a cluster of four buildings).
Indian trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) razed the structures two days after their architect Raj Rewal lost the case in Delhi high court on April 20. Conservationists are perplexed as the demolition took place as one petition by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) to save these structures is still being heard in the same court with next hearing slated for May 1.
ITPO is setting up a worldclass Integrated Exhibitioncum-Convention Centre (IECC) with project value of ₹2,254 crore.
The five structures — one of Hall of Nations and four of Hall of Industries — were commissioned in 1972 and the architect claims that these were the world’s first pillar-less concrete frame structures.
AGK Menon, former convener, Delhi Chapter INTACH said, “It’s all over now. As the ITPO did not wait for the court to pronounce its decision, we have lost all hope. Hall of Nations was demolished quietly on Sunday night when the entire world slept. As these iconic buildings no more exist, we cannot move the apex court.”
The Hall of Nations was the venue of the third Asian International Trade Fair — Asia 1972 .
In a joint statement by Rewal, structural engineer Mahendra Raj, former convener of INTACH, Delhi Chapter AGK Menon and president, Indian Institute of Architects Divya Kush said, “We consider the demolition of the Hall of Nations at Pragati Maidan an act of outrage. The case was being heard in the Delhi high court and the hearings were scheduled on April 27 and May 1, 2017.”
“In fact as an answer to our letter to the Prime Minister, the ministry of commerce indicated to us to find an amicable resolution with the trade fair authority. But obviously somebody in the ITPO had other motives,” the statement said.
In a written statement, ITPO CMD LC Goyal said the execution of IECC requires dismantling of Hall No. 1 to 6, 14 to 20 and state pavilions, including Hall of Nations, Nehru Pavilion and Hall of Industry — which he said aren’t heritage buildings.
“Earlier a PIL and two writ petitions filed by India Institute of Architects in Court of Delhi were dismissed. Presently, a writ petition filed by INTACH is pending in the high court. The HC on April 20, 2017, has dismissed another writ petition filed by Raj Rewal seeking to declare and preserve Hall of Nations, Hall of Industry and Nehru Pavilion as work of art of national importance. An appeal has been filed against the dismissal, but there is no stay granted by the court in any of the writ petitions against demolition of structures envisaged in the re-development of Pragati Maidan,” Goyal said.
Goyal said that according to Heritage Conservation Committee only those buildings which are at least 60 years old can be considered for inclusion in the heritage list. Iconic ConventionCenter with seating capacity of 7,000
8metre-high elevated podium
Floating roof projecting all around the building
Food and beverage outlets
Internal transportation system and amphitheatre
Exhibition space to be doubled to 1.19 lakh sqm Air-conditioned pavilions (7A-H; 8,9, 10,11,12,12A &18) and customised hangers as these will not be demolished Parking lot for 4,800 cars. It will have access from both Mathura Road and Ring Road
Advanced visitor management, rooms for 3D video conferencing
Display screens for CCTV monitoring at central command center
Motorised gates, crash proof bollards for unintended vehicles, full truck scanners, etc The Crafts Museum & the Science Museum already established in Pragati Maidan will continue to function
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Ministry of urban development appoints the Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC)
INTACH identifies 62 buildings, including Hall of Nations, as modern heritage monuments
ITPO announces demolition of Hall of Nations. INTACH moves the Delhi HC to check ITPO from demolishing the building ITPO demolishes Hall of Nations