Kolkata heritage buildings under scanner
The chunk of cement that fell from the ceiling of a heritage building missed an octogenarian former Union Minister - a tenant - but has brought to the fore the poor upkeep of the historic structures in the city, mainly due to the absence of proper laws.
Ironically, the 109-year-old Park Mansion on the iconic Park Street had received a prestigious heritage award for restoration of the colonial era structure from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) in 2013.
West Bengal Heritage Commission (WBHC) Chairman and well-known artist Shuvaprasanna Bhatacharya said on an average two buildings of heritage value were being destroyed every day in Kolkata, the first capital of colonial India where the British East India Company had set up its base.
“It is unfortunate that in Kolkata, almost two buildings of heritage importance are destroyed every day due to the lack of proper law. I have no idea if the people are aware of this,” Bhattacharya said.
The city has as many as 1,475 heritage buildings. Bhatacharya said due to complex ownership a huge ancestral property, which upholds the city’s culture and heritage, remains stuck in legal limbo.
“Due to this, we also cannot take up the property. Some amendments should be made to the existing laws to safeguard the heritage properties. There should be a commitee to look ater the interest of all the parties,” Bhatacharya said.
According to the WBHC Chairman, the exterior of the Park Mansion was maintained well and if there were problems in the interior, it should have been taken care of. “The tenants should not face any problem and, I believe, the owners will see to it,” he said.
The mater came to light on March 6 ater the atendant of former Union Minister Debi Prasad Chatopadhyaya was awakened by a thud in the early hours of the day. Her foot was hurt and a cement chunk was found next to the bed-ridden Chatopadhyaya. The family members of the 87-year-old, credited with editing the 100-plus volumes of History of Indian Science Philosophy and Culture, alleged the root of the problem was a leakage on the floor above their apartment.
“This is not the first time. Slabs had come off the ceiling earlier too. Every 5-6 years, we have do the maintenance works (like painting), which is our responsibility. But the building is roting from inside,” said the ailing man’s daughter-in-law Supriya Chatopadhyaya.