Not all the proposals in heritage panel report are mine,says Sharma

“Private buildings cannot be given heritage status without the permission of the owners. Though I am on the Committee,my health does not permit me to attend all its meetings. I have just given some suggestions on issues that I was asked about,” he clarified.

The report of the committee headed by UT Chief Architect Sumit Kaur has recommended that four private residences designed by Pierre Jeanneret,apart from other buildings,be declared heritage buildings.

The committee has identified Heritage Zones and Heritage Precincts. These have been graded with Grade I being given to buildings and precincts of national importance,Grade II to local landmarks that contribute to the image of the region,and Grade III to building and precincts of importance for the townscape.

Sharma said that certain areas and buildings in the city like the buildings designed by Corbusier,Panjab University (PU),PGI,sculptures,Rose Garden,Sukhna Lake are among those that need to be preserved in their original form. Work that is typical of the character of the city should be preserved. Certain areas need to be protected to show the future generations what the city was intended for,he added

“The Administration has not been able to look after the landmarks of the city. Instead of one landmark to identify the place from where Jawaharlal Nehru saw the layout plan of the city,two have been constructed. The landmark signifying starting construction of the second phase is also in a pitiable state,” rued Sharma.

“The thought of Chandigarh is universal. To see the city on the heritage list is on the wish list of the whole world,” he observed. “Why do those in the city not understand the importance of putting it on the modern heritage list? The officials of the Administration change every three years. No one knows the background. There is authority without accountability,” concluded Sharma.