‘Regret that judiciary vacated the premises’: Baroda Bar Association seeks ‘restoration’ of iconic Nyaymandir in Vadodara
The district and sessions court had been functioning out of the premises for over a century before it was moved to its new address in Diwalipura in 2018
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Earlier this year, the VMC's Standing Committee had returned the proposal for the restoration work of the Central Hall of the iconic Nyaymandir (Express Photo)Even as the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has begun “emergency repairs” of a crumbling Mandvi gate, the Baroda Bar Association on Friday urged the District Collector to “intervene” and restore the iconic Nyaymandir building that served as the “temple of justice” for 128 years.
In a letter addressed to the District Collector, the Baroda Bar Association (BBA) said that although the district and sessions court has shifted to the new premises in Diwalipura area of the city, the lawyers continue to “feel a deep sense of belonging” to the heritage building and its run-down state has “left them in tears”.
Seeking immediate intervention to have the VMC restore the property, the BBA said, “Although the possession of the Nyaymandir is with the Vadodara Municipal Corporation, it is a building of historic heritage and therefore, it is the responsibility of the VMC to maintain it… But it has been learnt that the VMC has no value of the building and therefore, has been turning a blind eye to Nyaymandir. Not only is the structure in a run-down state but there is litter all around the premises and trees growing from the building, which is leading to more damage… Without repairs, the structure may collapse and cease to exist…”
Stating that the BBA is ready to bear the expenditure to ensure that the structure is clean and free of vegetation, the letter stated, “If those having the possession of the premises (VMC) are unable to ensure that the property is kept clean and safe from vegetation growth, the BBA must be given the responsibility as we will gladly accept the same and even bear the expenses of keeping the premises safe…”
When contacted, Vadodara Municipal Commissioner Arun Mahesh Babu told The Indian Express that the VMC, jointly with the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL), is working out a plan to restore and put to use the two-storeyed, 80,000 square feet Robert Chisholm architecture that has remained shut since the district court moved to Diwalipura in March 2018.
Babu said, “We have a new proposal to restore the structure and to turn a part of it into a museum. There are some ideas we are executing for putting to use the remaining structure. We (VMC) held a meeting with the tourism department in the office of the District Collector recently and the work will progress soon… The proposal had been sent to the Standing Committee earlier this year, which is pending approval…”
Earlier this year, the VMC’s Standing Committee had returned the proposal for the restoration work of the Central Hall of the iconic Nyaymandir, recommending that the civic body must refrain from using the Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Sehri Vikas Yojana to meet its cost. The Standing Committee had resolved that the landmark structure should be restored and reopened to the public by using a Special Grant under the head of Prominent Identity of the city.
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