Heritage panel saves Jer Mahal wooden balconies

The Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) has turned down a proposal seeking the removal of the wooden balconies of Jer Mahal, a century-old heritage building in Dhobi Talao area.

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) had submitted a proposal before the heritage committee, seeking a no-objection certificate (NOC) to remove the wooden balconies of the Jer Mahal building, citing that the balconies are weak.

Jer Mahal, a cluster of six buildings and an annexe, is listed as a Grade III heritage structure in the existing heritage list and has been proposed as Grade II-B heritage structure in the proposed draft list.

“The Mhada authorities said that the wooden balconies are falling apart and may also collapse in the future. But, if the balconies are removed then what would be left in the structure? The balconies are the building’s most distinct feature,” said a heritage committee member.

The member added that the building is a typical example of the city’s most beautiful chawl, representing the finest example of a whole style of vernacular Indian architecture.

“We told them that the repair and restoration of the structure can be done to preserve the building’s heritage aspects. We also showed them couple of examples how work has been carried at a few places, wherein the structures have been restored to their original glory,” said another member, adding that the cost of repair and restoration was also discussed.

“Mhada authorities should not treat heritage buildings like any other old building,” the member added.

V Ranganathan, chairman of MHCC, said, “Since the balconies are the essential part of the structure, we have rejected the proposal and asked them to repair it wherever possible or restore it to ensure that its heritage value is preserved.”