HC stays demolition of heritage building

Chennai, Aug 10 (UNI) The Madras High Court today restrained authorities from demolishing a heritage building on the arterial Mount Road in here.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Mr Justice K Chandru restrained the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) and Chennai Corporation from demolishing or changing the character of the Bharath Insurance Building on a petition filed by the Indian National Trust for Architectural and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).

According to the petitioner, the building, earlier known as 'Kardyl' Building, was constructed in 1887. It was designed by J H Stephen and constructed by W E Smith and Co.

One of finest examples of Indo Sarascenic architecture in the country, the structure was listed as Grade A heritage building as per the INTACH listings based on a nationwide listing standard detailed in the draft heritage regulation formulated by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest in June 1995.

The building was rented and leased to tenants by the LIC. In 1998 the LIC initiated a process of eviction of the tenants in the building on the ground that the structure was unsafe for occupation due to its dilapidated condition.

A notice warning about the risk of injury/damage to property was pasted in prominent portions of the building.

In August 1999, the PWD inspected the building and submitted a report saying the building was under great structural stress and in need of urgent repairs.

Now the LIC was taking all steps to demolish the building which required only repair or renovation. Hence the present petition, it contended.

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