#dnaEdit: Falling prey to development

The ideas of conservation, restoration and protection of historical monuments and structures are yet to firm up in the collective consciousness. These concepts, transplanted on Indian soil during the Raj, never really struck roots in the seven decades since Independence. It’s evident in the way the visible links to the past have been allowed to crumble and disappear. Two recent developments seem to have only hastened that process as the nation seems determined to obliterate the remaining traces of history. A dna report mentions that nearly 280 centrally protected monuments in different parts of the country have been encroached upon, where illegal occupants have taken over parts of the historical structures, with the Archaeological Survey of India, entrusted with their safe-keeping, virtually pleading helplessness. These include the Purana Qila in Delhi, and the Golconda fort in Hyderabad. 

In Mumbai, a different crisis is brewing — one that has been created by none other than the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The city’s insatiable appetite for real estate will devour more than a thousand gems in brick-and-mortar if the city’s 2034 draft Development Plan comes into force. The blueprint to revamp the city has stripped several iconic structures of their protective cover, allowing builders a free run. The long list of omissions feature the Grade I Town Hall, which houses the Asiatic Society of Bombay, a fine example of neo-classical architecture, the Marine Drive precinct with its Art Deco Buildings, and several Victorian Neo-Gothic and Indo-Saracenic structures in the Fort precinct and the British-era open spaces, including the Oval Maidan. Further down, in the suburbs, the Victorian Bandra railway station and the Mount Mary church, both Grade 1 heritage properties are headed for a similar fate. The axe of development won’t spare Grade III structures as well, claiming a wide range of architectural styles as diverse as 300-year-old Portuguese-style bungalows, the 12th century Banganga tank and temples and the only surviving Opera House in the country — a visual treat in baroque style. 

The BMC’s draft plan that repeatedly mentions ‘construction’ and ‘redevelopment’ — two dreaded words for conservationists and restorers — has conveniently missed out on crucial terms like ‘conservation’ or ‘heritage’, thus raising the hackles of activists. It would seem that the maintenance of most of these 1,700-odd structures, which also includes buildings proposed in the 2012 list for heritage status, were draining the civic body’s exchequer, when, in reality, the BMC maintains only 25% of these properties, which house its offices and establishments. 

The outrage in Mumbai over the Corporation turning a blind eye to the city’s rich architectural heritage till now hasn’t forced a rethink by the authorities. Ironically, Mumbai’s stellar track record in fiercely protecting its many iconic structures from the elements as well as encroachments was offered as an example in other metros of the country. 

It’s true that residents in many of these buildings have suffered because of the heritage tag since repairs require several permissions and are both time-consuming as well as a drain on their pockets. But the BMC, over the years, had shied away from offering incentives to these residents — a practice in vogue in the UK and the US. Issuing transferable development rights certificates, reducing property tax and allowing income tax rebates for the amount spent by the occupants in restoring the building could have taken care of the grievances of the residents.

If the 2034 draft plan becomes the template for revival, it will preside over the architectural death of a once multi-cultural, vibrant port city that drew people from all over the world.