Grade-I heritage structure needs more funds from the government for extensive repairs and maintenance
The third oldest educational institute in the country, the historic Deccan College Postgraduate and Research Institute, is crying for repairs of its heritage structure.
A Grade-1 heritage structure and an excellent example of Gothic architecture, the college building was completed in 1868. Deteriorating over the years and requiring urgent repairs, the restoration work has remained neglected for the last two years after the University Grants Commission (UGC) sanctioned Rs30 lakh for repairs. The UGC stipulated that the funds should be used within five years after the sanction.
The work is likely to begin next week although the funds are not enough, say the institution’s authorities.
According to the college registrar, NS Gaware, the restoration work has been held up for want of a competent contractor who can undertake restoration of heritage structures.
Speaking to DNA, Gaware said, “We require a person with a good knowledge of heritage conservation to carry out the work. The construction material involved in restoration is different from that of a normal building. Now that we have found a suitable person, we will start the work next week.”
However, the work is too vast and the fund is inadequate, he said. The college has asked the government for more funds.
In the given funds, the priority will be to stop seepage of water and to restore the broken balcony of the building. The work of hostel-1, which is also a heritage building, will also be done. “But we cannot do more than that in the given funds,” he said. Earlier the college had difficulty in drawing the estimate of the work as it was difficult to estimate the cost of restoring heritage structure depending on the material needed to restore historic structures.
The work tenders had to be issued twice to get a competent contractor and finally one was found just last month, said estate manager of the college, Prashant Khedekar. Finally it is well-known conservation architect Kiran Kalamdani who will now supervise the restoration work.
The lack of maintenance has not only adversely affected the life of the heritage building, but also the artistically carved furniture of the British Era lying unused and unattended in the huge building.
Khedekar said they had appealed to the government for fund for maintenance. So the question as to how will the building be protected and preserved after repairs still remains.
Originating as the Hindoo College on October 6, 1821, an English school was added to the College in 1842 and on June 7, 1851, the English school was merged with the Hindoo College to form the Poona College.
From its original location in Vishrambaug Wada and later in Wanavdi, the Poona College was shifted to its present large campus near Yerawada. The foundation stone of the main building was laid on October 15, 1864. At this stage the College was renamed as Deccan College. The college started functioning on the new campus on March 23, 1868.
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