Nearly a month after Vadodara city's Mandvi gate — known as the heart of the city — began showing signs of crumbling due to “column crushing”, Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) on Monday held a meeting with various departments as well as heritage conservationists to discuss the way forward to restore the historical structure. Besides, discussions on forming the much-neglected Heritage Cell in the civic body, which was pending even after a Gujarat High Court order directing its formation in 2014, were held. Municipal Commissioner Arun Babu held a meeting with stakeholders — the Mayor, Standing Committee members, officials of the VMC, elected representatives of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including MP Hemang Joshi, Archaeological Survey of India, as well as the Commissioner of Police Narasimha Komar. Co-convenor of INTACH in Gujarat, Sanjeev Joshi, told The Indian Express, “One of the discussions was how we can reduce the traffic stress on structures in the old city (fort area). Another was on the impact of the brazen decibel levels of DJ music through the walled city. Since it (the gate) is located close to Jamnabai hospital as well as the Central library, we suggested that it can be declared a silent zone that should be adhered to by all communities, to prevent any discord. Commissioner of Police, Vadodara, also looked into this aspect and appeared positive. There is a great potential in turning the area into a walkway for tourists or a bicycle circuit with only light EV autos deployed.” INTACH works in the field of heritage awareness and conservation in India. The stakeholders also discussed restoration of Mandvi gate, which is currently being “supported with temporary beams” as a repair plan is being worked out. MP Joshi said, “We discussed the recommendations in the reports of the consultancy firms for Mandvi as well as the reasons for the dilapidation. We discussed long-term issues as well and the way to protect all the heritage structures in Vadodara, regardless of which department holds its possession currently. The aim is to develop and conserve the legacy of Vadodara.” Arun Babu, speaking to media persons, said that the civic body aims to develop tourist walkways in order to promote and conserve the rich heritage of the city. Babu said, “We discussed the formation of a Heritage Cell to prepare the action plan for reconstruction and conservation of heritage structures. We will start with Mandvi. We also discussed how the police will join in the action. The possibility of heritage walk streets, like in foreign countries, where vehicles can be parked in a different location to allow people to explore the area.was also discussed.” Sameer Khera, President of the Baroda Heritage trust, said it made an oral representation to address the issue of “noise pollution and heavy traffic alongside the structural issues impacting the Heritage Precinct within the five gates of the Walled City”. Khera said, “The trust also urged the political and administrative wings to institutionalise the Heritage Cell, as urged by the MP himself a few weeks ago. It was a welcome initiative by the VMC, and the elected representatives present.” In October 2014, hearing a petition of INTACH, filed by Sanjeev Joshi to save the Nazarbaug palace in Mandvi, the Gujarat HC had directed the VMC to form the heritage cell in a span of three months. While Nazarbaug was razed by its owners — members of the Gaekwad royal family — to make way for a mall by the same name, the VMC is yet to create the heritage cell. Situated at the centre of the walled city, Mandvi gate was built by Sultan Muzaffar (1511-26 AD).
