Heritage building may be pulled down for highrise

He said the institute was recognised by the West Bengal Government and National Council of Teachers’ Education and since it was located at a prime spot in the city making it worth several crores,it was natural that land sharks would be attracted to it. “Girls get teaching jobs after completion of training from this institution,” he said.

Bangiya Christiya Parisheba has planned a series of protest programmes beginning May 28 when the manager of BMS would visit the city. “We will put on black ribbons and stage a demonstration on May 28 in front of the BMS Guest House at 44,AJC Bose Road,where the BMS manager would be present,” said Mullick.

Next,he said,they would send a petition against the move to BMS Delhi and London,Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee,West Bengal Heritage Commission and also to the British Consulate.“If all these fall on deaf ears,we would resort to a greater movement,” he said.

A senior member of the KMC heritage committee said according to the rule,the exterior of a heritage building cannot be altered.

DB Masih,manager,BMS,Delhi,said: “I have assumed office only two and a half months ago,so I would not be able to comment on it. All I can say that after technically qualified persons survey a building,not only heritage building,and term it as ‘unsafe for use’,can it be demolished.”