The Times of India 10.08.2010
Buildings collapsing: AMC has no idea of their heritage value
AHMEDABAD: The walled city's dream to achieve UNESCO World Heritage City status is being virtually washed away in rains. In last one month more than 19 buildings in the walled city have collapsed claiming more than five lives. The worst affected areas are Raipur, Dariyaur, Astodia, Dilli Chakla, Mandavi ni Pol, Sarangpur, Kalupur, Ahmedpura, Dhanasuthar ni Pol, Manek Chowk and Gandhi Road.
The fate of these decades-old architectural marvels in Pol houses and heritage building is in limbo. Municipal commissioner of Ahmedabad IP Gautam said, " AMC authorities will again conduct a survey of these buildings to assess their safety during the rains."
"Most of the heritage buildings have been abandoned. There a dozen of dangerous buildings which can collapse at any moment. We have asked the people living in these buildings to evacuate during the rainy season," Gautam added.
The walled city comprise Khadiya, Kalupur, Jamalpur, Raikhad, Dudheshwar, Madhupura, Girdharnagar, Dariyapur and Shahpur. These house more than 12,000 heritage structures, according to a survey conducted by AMC 11 years ago.
However, there seems to be no conscious effort to preserve these heritage structures, which are prone to collapsing. Protecting and preserving these valuable heritage asset in city demands the collective efforts of the local community, civic body and state government.
What's more, in-charge, deputy estate and town officer of central zone, Navin Patel had no inklings about the heritage value of the buildings which fell in the rains. Patel said, "We do not check whether the collapsed buildings in the walled city are under heritage category list or not. Till now, we have issued 104 new notices to the building owners in the walled city area."
There are 1.45 lakh property units in the walled city. However, many residents choose to ignore the signs of decay in their buildings and continue to live there as they do not have any other option.
