Civic body's restoration plans hit a roadblock

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is struggling to find heritage conservationists to repair and restore five heritage structures in the city. These structures include three civic hospitals, Hutatma Chowk and Cooperage Bandstand.

Despite putting out three advertisements, the civic body has not received a single response to the tenders invited recently.

Moreover, civic sources claim that even if a conservationist does express interest in restoring these structures, there are a string of demands for a relaxation in the terms and conditions of the tender put out.

Apart from Hutatma Chowk and Cooperage Bandstand, the BMC wants to push forward with the repair work of Dr Bhajekar Hospital on SVP Road at Prarthana Samaj in D/Ward, Muktipoj Dispensary and Health Care Centre at Byculla in E/Ward and ENT hospital in Fort.

All five heritage structures require major repairs and restoration. The structures needs to be restored sensitively to re-vitalise it into its full glory.

Ironically, the civic body invited tenders for the Hutatma Chowk restoration work five times; thrice for Dr. Bhajekar Hospital and Muktipoj Dispensary, and twice for Cooperage Bandstand and ENT Hospital.

In order to ensure that these iconic structures are protected, conserved and restored, the Development Control Regulation has a separate clause which mandates the conservation of listed heritage buildings, areas, artefacts, structures and precincts of historical and or aesthetic and or architectural and or cultural value (heritage buildings and heritage precincts)

Despite the BMC's plans to restore these iconic structures, conservationists are not showing interest in signing up.