Sir,

According to Prof. N.S. Rangaraju, a member of the District Heritage Committee, out of 129 heritage structures, 50 to 60 structures need urgent restoration (‘11 heritage buildings listed for urgent repairs’ in SOM dated May 25).

However, only 11 heritage buildings have been identified for urgent repairs at an estimated cost of Rs. 96,80,59,838 and the list has been forwarded to Deputy Commissioner to seek funds from State Government.

Notably, the list of 11 buildings does not include the Devaraja Market and Lansdowne buildings, which have been pending for more than a decade.

The Government appears indecisive about whether to demolish or restore these two buildings, showcasing a typical attitude of shirking responsibility or playing it safe. Since the estimated cost for the 11 heritage buildings was determined by a private agency, it must undergo scrutiny to ensure compliance with all specified norms. A committee needs to be formed to evaluate the estimate and make necessary changes if required before final approval. It remains unclear whether tenders were invited or if the work was directly assigned to a reputed firm.

However, given the current circumstances, there are doubts about the availability of funds. In case of fund crunch, a decision must be made to prioritise among these 11 structures. It is essential to remember that the estimated cost is subject to change, potentially increasing substantially. Consequently, the fate of other heritage buildings remains uncertain.

— H.R. Bapu Satyanarayana, Saraswathipuram, 26.5.2024

You can also mail us your views, opinions, and stories to [email protected]