After civil society, conservation architects have joined the growing chorus against the proposed demolition of the 200-year-old Patna Collectorate building, saying the structure can be restored and the country has skills required for it.
Spread over nearly 12 acres on the banks of the Ganga, the complex has several buildings built over a period spanning more than two centuries. The old record room and few other structures belong to the Dutch era and are endowed with unique architecture of that period.
Kolkata-based conservation architect Manish Chakraborti, currently working on extensive architectural restoration projects in West Bengal's old Danish town Serampore, says, "Patna is a historic city and the government must explore ways to showcase its heritage instead of condemning it to oblivion."
"It's an architectural asset and part of not just Dutch or British history but also Patna's own history and dismantling it would mean erasing a great chapter of the city's past. The concept of shared heritage is well-embraced and restoration is becoming a norm around the world and in several parts of India. It's time Patna made a start in that direction," he told PTI.
The Bihar government has decided to raze the iconic buildings to replace them with a high-rise complex, citing their "poor condition" and space requirements. Patna Commissioner Anand Kishor has claimed that parts of the roof of the buildings have been damaged rendering the place unsafe.
Chakraborti, who worked on restoration of early 19th century Danish-era St. Olav's Church in Serampore, counters the argument, saying, "just because part of a roof is falling doesn't mean you knock down the entire building. Such policymaking reflects myopic vision."
"Even if the entire roof was falling, the building should still be preserved. In Olav's Church case the entire roof was falling as it had been damaged by termite, but we redid the entire roof. We must reconcile conservation with development. And, we have all the expertise we need for such holistic projects, why rush to demolition and rob one of one's own history," he said.
The iconic church, construction of which began in 1800, after three years of painstaking restoration was rededicated on April 16. It is part of the 'Serampore Initiative', a joint initiative of Danish government and West Bengal Heritage Commission to revive Danish heritage in the town near Kolkata. The old Governor House and Danish Tavern are also currently being restored.
Well-known conservation architect and Convener of INTACH Delhi Chapter AGK Menon says, "Restoration is our job. That's what conservation architects do, bringing things back to life. Patna Collectorate has not been properly kept over the decades, so it is bound to become weak. But, that doesn't mean it can't be revived and revitalised.
Former Additional Director General of ASI, B R Mani says,
"Such buildings should get protection at local level under some municipal heritage law."
"It is history and must be preserved, there can't be two opinions. But, buildings like Collectorate are getting exposed to wrecking ball because they are historic but not listed or notified under any law. Cities like Mumbai or Kolkata or even Delhi has provisions where such landmark and even private mansions and havelis are protected.
"Patna needs to have such laws but restoration should be done nonetheless, as it is an architectural heritage and carries with it the story of not just the Dutch in Patna but our story too, story of our own people, who must have helped build this iconic structure," he told
