Team finds water damage in school, may grant repair nod
Times of India | 3 June 2025
Kolkata: Officials of KMC and West Bengal Heritage Commission inspected three heritage buildings at the twin La Martiniere campuses on Monday afternoon, following a Calcutta High Court order. They indicated that they would grant permission for urgent repairs against seepage to ensure that the condition of the nearly two-century-old buildings did not deteriorate and that falling plaster and debris did not pose a risk to students. The joint inspection report will be submitted to the court on Thursday.The school authorities submitted a detailed repair and restoration plan to the civic body's buildings and heritage conservation departments on Monday afternoon. They sought permission to renovate classrooms, toilets, the administrative block, and the principal's office; repair the roof and floors; change and reorganise electrical wires; remove old wrought iron structures; renovate the sports field; and paint the buildings. With the school reopening on June 16 after the summer break, the school requested an immediate nod so that work can begin. "We will not be able to complete it before school starts. Thereafter, work will be done after school hours," said school secretary Supriyo Dhar.The HC-ordered inspection by KMC and WB Heritage Commission between noon and 1.30 pm revealed ceiling seepage, damp walls, and rotten wooden beams that require urgent attention. KMC officials said though there was no threat of an imminent collapse in any part of the three buildings they inspected, they would not take any chance as water seepage from the roof has damaged the buildings."The brick and lime-mortar buildings constructed in the early 1830s are still structurally strong but need proper treatment to address water seepage," an official said, adding that the school authorities should have sought prior permission for such minor repair work instead of trying to do it without informing the civic body. "The school can't renovate or repair grade-I heritage structures without informing KMC heritage committee and submitting a detailed plan," a KMC official said. WB Heritage Commission project committee head Sukumar Bhattacharya and members Anindya Karforma and Partha Ranjan Das were present at the inspection.Dhar said the team visited 50 of the 200-odd classrooms in the two schools and that the school was open to further inspection. "The two main buildings are in need of preventive restoration in some areas and total restoration in others," he said.