Surat’s draft heritage policy ready

The civic body has already carried out the process of identifying the structures and prepared a plan to preserve them,which will be submitted to the Standing Committee on Thursday for a discussion. Later,they will form Heritage Conservation Committee,which will have SMC and elected officials as members.

Assistant Municipal Commissioner C Y Bhatt said the final draft policy includes maintenance of heritage structure,classification of tangible and intangible edifices,historical importance of the buildings and heritage categories,restoration and development of structures keeping in mind tourist destinations,current occupancy situation and type of construction among others.

The heritage structures are at least over 100 years old,including Andrews Library,Chowk Bazaar fort,and some structures in old Rander town like libraries and mosques,Bhatt said,adding,“The ASI is not involved with us.”

Before preparing the final draft,SMC had entrusted Ahmedabad-based Urban Management Centre with the task of identifying the monuments having heritage value while the work to prepare a report on preserving and maintaining such buildings was given to Delhi-based Urban Space consultant firm.