Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Seeks Legal Power to Preserve Historical Structures
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is actively working to strengthen its ability to protect the city's rich architectural heritage. This initiative comes in response to recent demolition incidents, such as the razing of the Rector's Bungalow at Gujarat College, which highlighted the civic body's current lack of authority to intervene effectively. By tagging historically significant buildings outside the old city area as heritage sites, the AMC aims to gain the legal standing necessary to prevent their destruction and focus on renovation and maintenance efforts.
Recent Challenges and Interventions in Heritage Preservation
In recent months, the AMC has faced several critical situations involving heritage structures. For instance, the corporation successfully intervened to halt the demolition of buildings within the Shahibaug Circuit House complex and the Gaekwad Haveli premises by citing their historical importance. However, not all efforts have been successful, as evidenced by the loss of the Rector's Bungalow. Now, another structure, the historical science lab building of Gujarat College, is under threat of demolition, underscoring the urgent need for stronger protective measures.
An official from the AMC, speaking anonymously, revealed that the corporation has realized that merely writing letters to authorities is insufficient. To address this, they are leveraging a 2014 survey conducted by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), which identified 861 historical buildings outside the old city area, with 382 of them graded for significance. Based on this report, the AMC plans to tag over 400 of these buildings as heritage sites.
Strategic Steps and Future Plans for Heritage Conservation
Once these buildings receive heritage tags, the AMC will implement measures such as offering transfer of development rights to facilitate their maintenance. This approach is designed to provide tangible incentives for preservation while ensuring legal protection against demolition. The official further noted that notable structures like the Fatehbaugh Palace in Fatehwadi village and Gujarat Vidyapith are among those to be included in this initiative.
The corporation intends to publish a comprehensive list of these buildings soon, inviting public objections and suggestions before finalizing the heritage tags. This participatory process aims to foster community involvement and transparency in conservation efforts. Since Ahmedabad was designated a UNESCO World Heritage City in 2017, there has been growing concern over the neglect of historical buildings outside the old city area, making this move a crucial step toward holistic heritage management.
By acquiring formal authority through heritage tagging, the AMC hopes to prevent future losses and ensure the long-term preservation of Ahmedabad's cultural and historical legacy, aligning with its status as a world-renowned heritage destination.
