Now, heritage body can okay renovation plans

The state government has authorised the Heritage Committee, headed by retired IAS PK Ghosh, to approve the renovation and repair plans of heritage buildings in Ahmedabad.

More than 12,000 buildings in the walled city have been declared as heritage sites.

The heritage cell has divided the buildings into three categories on the basis of their heritage value. Earlier, AMC's estate management and town planning department had received many proposals for renovation and repair, which had to be cleared but as the department did not have any power and clear guidelines, nothing could be done.

The buildings included in heritage properties can be renovated or repaired only as per the instructions given by the committee. Moreover, the owner of the property has to maintain it as per the norms stipulated by the committee and will have to bear the cost of maintenance.