The 'Hall of Nations complex' a part of Pragati Maidan, built in 1972, a permanent exhibition venue and a 20th-century heritage site in New Delhi, was demolished late Sunday night.
Designed by celebrated Indian modernist, Raj Rewal, and engineered by Mahendra Raj, the two structures- Hall of Nations and Hall of Industries, were connected and held numerous exhibitions.
The building ‘was’ owned by the Indian Trade Promotion Council (ITPC), an agency of the Government of India’s ‘Ministry of Commerce and Industry’, that now plans to revamp the entire area into a ‘modern’ style Convention Centre, including underground parking. There was a threat of its demolition.
At the time of construction
The Hall of Nations complex (historical)
The plea made by Rewal against the demolition of the structure was rejected by the High Court last week. Justice Sachdeva had said that buildings older than 70-years are considered heritage and thus this one did not adhere to the Heritage Conservation Committee’s guidelines.
In an email to the members, ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) India Director, Rohit Jigyasu, sent an email to its members saying,”Many of you must have heard by now about the unfortunate demolition of the Hall of Nations in Pragati Maidan, the iconic 20th Century Heritage Structure. This sadly happened last night, ironically a few hours after ICOMOS India-NSC20C in collaboration with INTACH Delhi Chapter had painstakingly prepared a Heritage Alert to halt the demolition of this priceless heritage. Sadly now it will only get confined to the books of history of architecture.”
Various organisations and associations from around the world rejected the idea of its demolition and sent letters of support for its preservation. Prof Dr Martino Stierli, The Philip Johnson Chief Curator of Architecture and Design at the Museum of Modern Art, New York to Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry sent on February 25, 2016. Among the recent ones, Aresa Mohamed, President, the International Union of Architects and Ludovica Molo, president and Caspar Schärer, secretary general, The Federation of Swiss Architects had written to Hon'ble Prime Minister of India sent on April 4, 2017 and February 7, 2017, respectively.
The structure which took 22 months to build, has hosted a large number of exhibitions in the column-free main hall of 6700 sqm (Hall of Nations), and four smaller halls adding an additional 7500 sqm (Hall of Industries).
Pragati Maidan
Plans are to create an ‘Integrated Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre’ in the 123 acres which will have a seating capacity of 7000, a parking capacity of 5,000 cars, a 5,00 rooms hotel by 2019.
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