Heritage rule flout in school repairs: La Martiniere 'didn't seek' KMC nod
Telegraph | 14 November 2024
The repair and renovation work that slapped marble slabs on a much-loved stone stairway of the 188-year-old La Martiniere for Boys did not have the permission that a “Grade I heritage” structure needs for such work.
On Wednesday, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) sent some members of its heritage conservation committee and a team of officials to “inspect” the school building, a magnificent edifice in a city fast losing many of its iconic structures.
The committee pointed out the lack of permission, unnecessary addition of load and the use of materials not compatible with a building of such rich heritage.
The Association of La Martiniere Alumni (Alma) had objected to the school’s decision “to replace the original steps” on the southern side, which were etched with the names of many former students, with “marble slabs”.
Metro on Wednesday reported about the construction work and the former pupils’ objections to changes to the stairway with “historical and emotional significance for generations of students and alumni”.
“Any repair in a Grade I heritage building requires the civic body’s nod, which the school did not have,” said a senior KMC official. “A report based on the findings of the inspection will be submitted on Thursday. Further action, if any, will be taken after going through the report,” he said.
According to the KMC, “no external change” will be allowed in a building with a grade I heritage tag.
Himadri Guha, a member of the KMC’s heritage conservation committee and a structural engineer who visited the school on Wednesday, said the committee recommended that the civic building department issue a “stop work” notice to La Martiniere for Boys.
He said the school was at fault on multiple counts
“They should have taken the KMC’s permission for the repairs since the school building is a grade I heritage structure. But the authorities did not seek any permission,” he said.
“During the inspection, we found unnecessary load had been added to the structure without any consideration for its age and quality.”
The inspection also revealed that some of the materials used in the repairs were not compatible with the structure, he said. “This goes against the norms of repairs in a heritage structure.”
The committee members spent about two hours at the school and were taken to the sections where repairs are underway, Guha said.
Supriyo Dhar, secretary, La Martiniere schools, said: “We have been told that we will be given a letter with recommendations for changes. Once we receive that, we will follow the advisory and regularise accordingly.”
Dhar said the repairs were essential. “We undertook the repair work because we did not want to compromise on the safety of our children. We are a school with 6,000 children and thousands use the building every day. If a child gets grievously hurt, no parent will spare us.”
On Wednesday evening, Alma sent a letter to the KMC commissioner.
“Recently, it has come to our notice, that in the name of ‘development’, the institution has been conducting large-scale construction and renovation work. This includes defacing original heritage stones on the southern side steps, engraved with the names of esteemed alumni and members of the institution.... Not only does this work deface irreplaceable heritage features, but it also directly violates the protections afforded to Grade I heritage buildings under KMC regulations,” said the letter signed by Alma president Vishal Jhajharia.
“Our concerns extend beyond the aesthetic and cultural degradation. It is alarming that such extensive work is reportedly being executed without the necessary permissions and clearances from KMC.”