Hudco loan to preserve heritage

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has finalised a proposal to revive the glory of poles and havelis and to preserve rich heritage of Walled City with assistance from Housing and Urban Development Corporation. A memorandum to this effect will be signed next month with the Hudco officials to preserve the colonial, Moghul and Maratha architecture in the city.

It has been decided to develop two sheds at Jalaghar near Dudheshwar and one at Khadia to train craftsmen and artisans with an Initial cost of Rs 25 lakhs. Hudco and AMC are also trying to procure bank assistance to fund the renovation and preservation of the havelis at lower interest rates. These shelters will also act as workshops for developing the skills of craftsmen in stone carving, wooden work and other jobs associated wit the reservation of old architectural structure.

"People want to preserve old havelis and buildings in poles but for the want of good artisans and craftsmen the job is usually left undone," said Mr J.G, Hingrajia, deputy municipal commissioner, central zone. The central zone has maximum number of old monuments and structures in the city. However, their owners are rapidly razing the havelis to pave way for new multiplex buildings.

According to rough estimates prepared by the AMC, there are 15,000 to 20,000 old structures, havelis and houses of architectural significance in the city in dire need of renovation and restoration, More than 80 per cent of these structures are within the walled city area. Mr Hingrajia said, "Today if we want to repair a window or a wall of these buildings, it will be difficult to find workers who will be able to restore the original effect," There are a few havelis owners who can bear the burden of renovating these structures, but majority of them have sold the buildings for want of renovation and rising financial pressure.

Besides this, the unfriendly tax structure of the Municipal Corporation has forced the owners to raze old buildings. The AMC has also decided to provide low interest long-term loans to these owners along with the expertise made available by the Hudco.

Republished from Asian Age