Lack of security and upkeep affects heritage structures

Grade 1 heritage structures of Nanawada and Vishrambaug Wada in city in dire need of conservation.

Apart from conservation efforts,security and upkeep seems to be the crying need for heritage structures in Pune. The issue has come up for discussion in the heritage committee meetings of the Pune Municipal Corporation umpteen times and the members have expressed concern over the issue.

Particular concern was expressed for the Grade 1 heritage structures of Nanawada and Vishrambaug Wada. Minutes of the meeting of the heritage committee,accessed by Newsline under the Right to Information (RTI),2005 Act,show that the matter had first come up for discussion on March 27,2012. The usage of both Vishrambaugh Wada and Nanawada has raised quite a few questions about the structures both in terms of security and stability, the minutes read.

In the case of 200-year-old Nanawada,the continuation of the library and the post office was a cause of concern of the members. The matter of relocation of both library and the post office is pending since the last 5-7 years. Failure of the civic body to look into the matter was criticised by the members of the heritage committee, the minutes read. The working of the post office is taking a toll on the structure yet no tangible efforts are being made to address it, the minutes read. The members asked the heritage cell to immediately start efforts to relocate both the library and the post office to avoid serious damage to the structure.

The security guards quarters was the cause of concern for the structure. The living quarters of the security guard is a concern for the Nanawada. Waste water,garbage generated from the quarters has affected the stability of the structure, the minutes read.

Prajakta Panshikar,heritage consultant with Janwani,said the best way to conserve a building was to use it. Strict guidelines about the usage has to be in place so that it is not damaged, she said.

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