AMC plans fresh survey to identify heritage properties

In 2001, a list of heritage properties in Ahmedabad was prepared. As per the heritage conservation plan, owners of these properties would not be allowed to make any changes in the structures so as to retain their original flavour, something that did not go well with the owners.

In what appeared to be an attempt to pacify them, a special committee was set up in 2007 to facilitate repair and maintenance of heritage properties but the dissatisfaction among owners continued. However, things are set to change.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) will carry out a fresh survey to prepare a list of heritage properties in the city in association with Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). Coming after more than a decade of preparation of the first list, this one will have some deletions as well as additions.

The survey will not be limited to the walled city but cover heritage properties in other areas of Ahmedabad as well. The civic body is also mulling some incentive for owners for conservation of property. 

After a survey by AMC in the walled city area between March 2000 and May 2001, a list of heritage properties was prepared. A protocol was signed between AMC and Government of France for the conservation and revitalization of the Walled City. The list included 12,500 properties under three different categories—Grade I, II and III.  

However, the list has been bone of contention between many property owners and AMC. Development, redevelopment, change of use, engineering operations or additions, alterations, repairs, renovations including the painting of buildings, replacement of special features or demolition of the whole or part thereof or plastering of heritage buildings and/or heritage precincts and plots has been disallowed except with written permission of the competent authority.  

It has been alleged time and again that non-heritage properties have been included in the list. “A house in Tankshal area got damaged in earthquake in January 2001. The owner had obtained necessary approval for building a new property on the same plot.

However, at the last minute, the civic body sealed the property saying that it was in heritage property list and the owner has not obtained permission from the concerned department,” said a BJP corporator from AMC’s central zone.

The officials also agreed that the authorities had received numerous such complaints. “Hence we will carry out a fresh survey with help of a professional organisation,” said an AMC official. He added that they will focus on including in the list only those structures that are genuinely heritage properties and knock off the rest.

He also said that before the publication of the final list, owners of the properties will be consulted and their objections and suggestions taken into consideration. The new survey will also include heritage properties from ‘gamtal’ area outside walled city. “We expect an addition of around 400-500 such properties,” said the official.

The civic body is also mulling the idea of providing incentives to owners for conservation of heritage property. The municipal commissioner has given in-principle approval and once the final approval comes, work on the survey will begin. The scientific survey will take six to nine months.