Existing heritage structures need care

For a city which boasts of some of the biggest and most inspiring heritage structures, the authorities have not done enough to improve the existing heritage structures, say HT readers.

For a city which boasts of some of the biggest and most inspiring heritage structures, the authorities have not done enough to improve the existing heritage structures.

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Although a huge sum has been set aside for the development of these structures, their future still is uncertain.

The current heritage structures are so poorly maintained and in such a dilapidated state that even a minor accident can cause damage to them.

The heritage committee needs to understand that beautification of the interiors is not going to preserve these structures. Developing a strong foundation is equally important.

Private players can be roped in for cleaning the structures and a fixed period can be defined. Neat and well-maintained heritage structures will also serve as tourist attractions and will act as a good source of revenue.

A problem currently faced by the heritage committee is the unrestricted entry of private builders. Private builders are keeping a keen and watchful eye on these structures for development projects and several important decisions are going in their favour.

The proposed development of Crawford market into a mall will surely raise eyebrows and people will begin to question the future of other Grade I structures.

The heritage committee should be given more power to question such proposals. They can conduct awareness programmes in schools explaining the importance of preserving our heritage structures. More awareness advertisements like the ‘Incredible India’ ad campaign should be broadcast on television that explains people the need to preserve our rich history and culture.

Adding more structures to the list will only hamper and slowdown the development of the existing structures. We, as individuals should also do our bit.

Spitting, writing on the walls and other acts, which can destroy their beauty, should be strictly avoided. We should also prevent others from committing such acts. In this way, we can make a big contribution in preserving these structures.

Abhishek Shenoy

Preserve important ones on heritage list

With such a long, unwieldy list of heritage structures of different grades, the authorities could have at least made an attempt to preserve some of the more important among them.

Take for instance, the Elephanta Caves that deservedly figure in the World Heritage List. They are a prominent tourist attraction in the city but the old problems still seem to remain — the monkey menace, hawkers crowding the already narrow steps, lack of good drinking water and power, etc. A lot more needs to be done to sustain its position in the World Heritage List.

Then comes the Gilbert Hill near Bhavan’s College in Andheri (West). With persistent efforts from some of us geologists, this rare monolith formed on spectacular vertical columns of the black basalt standing 60 metres tall, has been designated heritage structure, Grade II.

It is comparable to the Devil’s Tower in Wyoming, USA and deserves to be preserved much better with a fencing all around to keep it away from all sorts of construction (I had proposed to the Maharashtra Tourist Development Corporation that it be developed into a tourist spot appropriately).

It is necessary that all the 588 old heritage structures are not neglected just because the heritage list was recently extended by almost 1,000 more places.

Dr V Subramanyan

Financial aid needed for preservation

The objective of the Metropolitan Region Heritage Conservation Society (MMR-HCS) is to maintain a database for MMR and impart training as well as create awareness in heritage conservation. Financial assistance needs to be given to promote preservation, conservation, protection and development of heritage buildings within MMR area.

In recent times the MMR-Heritage Conservation Society has so far supported over 40 projects involving survey, documentation and guidelines for major heritage structures till June 2009.

Key projects which are in progress include:

* Restoration of David Sassoon Library Building.

* Restoration of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya.

* Conservation of Papdi Talao in Vasai.

* Conservation of Durbar Hall of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai.

* Development of an online Heritage Information System.

It can be seen that MMR-HCS has been contributing its share to preserve the existing heritage list.

Adding more places to the existing list would demand best support and prompt attention for the journey of preserving to be a benchmark of success.

Nilesh Raje

Will Dharavi slums be next on the list?

Over 900 places in the city have been declared as heritage structures. But all of us are aware how much care the government and civic officials have given to the already existing ones.

The respective ward officers can’t take care of their wards; do you think they will ensure that each structure that gets added would be taken care of?

Creating these new lists makes no sense when the already existing structures are not maintained properly. Look at the state of Churchgate or CST station. Each corner will have a paan stain or the dustbins will be empty as garbage will be littered on the platforms.

Our two structures look beautiful only from outside. Each of them with their unique set of problems, which go un-addressed, and the so-called heritage structures are on their way to becoming ruins.

Conservation of these structures is poor and lacks priority. The maintenance is just planned on paper and implementation is something which only you can dream of.

When we cannot handle and take care of our present list of structures why are we increasing the list? By increasing the list, the government probably doesn’t even realise that it is going to have to deal with a lot more work.

The way the government is going, listing everything as heritage, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Dharavi slums join the list too.

Mubashir Usmani

Development is more important

I am against constantly declaring new precincts or areas as heritage. I believe in heritage but at a give-and-take level. Heritage should be parallel with development. I think our biggest downside is that Mumbai cannot really expand.

We are still using our antiquated roads and making flyovers or expanding our existing roads.

Already, the existing list of 588 heritage structures in Mumbai is outstretched. If I had my way, I would yank most of the names on the list while preserving those that are really paramount, much less add to it.

The Taj Mahal’s architectural grace and symmetry just takes your breath away, same for the Agra Fort.

But according to experts, if 1,000 buildings were to be included on Agra’s heritage list, the development of the city would take a severe backseat.

A heritage structure only acquires value if at least 10 to 15 visit it every day.

People go to Crawford Market to buy fruits and vegetables; they use CST to commute, not to gaze at the architecture. I am not implying that these should be demolished to make way for a mall or a 100-storey building but our city direly needs development, not heritage.

London has five lakh heritage structures while Scotland has 46,000. My question is are we trying to emulate these advanced countries?

Cities should be places that make the heart sing. At the moment, Mumbai cannot afford moments of beauty when we have a plethora of power issues to tackle.

Forget heritage; make it a city worth living in first.

Rashika Vazirani