On heritage list, but face the bulldozer

Controversy seems to have plagued the BMC’s proposed heritage list. After residents of Bandra complained last week that some recently developed structures were part of the heritage list, BMC commissioner Sitaram Kunte found that 290 of the 947 listed structures are already at various levels of redevelopment.

There has been a five-year delay in publishing the proposed heritage list and during this period, the BMC granted redevelopment permission to 290 structures – 212 in the western suburbs, 55 in eastern suburbs and 23 in the island city. More such buildings are likely to be added as the heritage will be finalised only by August next year.

“The list is still in the drafting stage. Redevelopment permission to the structures were given as per the existing building proposal norms. Permission will also be given to other structures till the list is finalised,” Kunte told DNA, adding that the final heritage list may not include these structures.

As per BMC rules, redevelopment permission can be granted to any structure on the proposed heritage list under the building proposal guidelines. The proposed heritage tag will not be considered while granting permission.

The new draft list was compiled in 2005 and finalised in 2007. It  proposes to include 947 new structures and 47 precincts in addition to the existing 586 structures and 15 precincts.

At present, the list is at the receiving suggestions and objections stage. So far, the BMC has received around 800 suggestions and objections. These will be forwarded to the state government which will then appoint a review committee to study them. All loopholes in the draft list will be addressed before finalising the list. It will take eight to nine months.

“We will inform the review committee about buildings which have gone for redevelopment. The committee will decide whether or not these structures should be part of the final list,” Kunte said.

Civic officials said the review committee might go on field visits and call for hearings while considering the suggestions and objections before coming out with the final list. A lot of proposed structures may not make it to the final list.