CP set to get heritage status

NEW DELHI: There may be some hope for the crumbling and vandalised structures of Connaught Place (CP). Delhi’s most famous commercial centre is set to get a heritage status.
The Union urban development ministry (UDM) is considering including CP in its list of heritage sites in the city, say sources. While the Intach list recognises CP as a fine representation of the city’s heritage character, it is yet to be declared so by the ministry.
At present, all the structures in CP are private properties, a reason the authorities often cite when talking of the poor maintenance of many buildings in the area.The edifice of most blocks is pockmarked with ungainly billboards, while shabby, makeshift structures have come up on the first floors.
"We have no way of preventing such activities. Once the heritage norms come into force, things will no longer be left to the NDMC or traders. All renovation and construction work will be regulated by the heritage rules,"said a source. A number of property owners have also made illegal extensions.
A number of buildings are ill-maintained with the brick and mortar literally spilling out. "We may also be able to contain the rapid commercialisation on the first floor which was essentially residential and inner service lanes that are now being taken over by shops and restaurants,"said a senior NDMC official.
The development is crucial as the NDMC has recently submitted a revised renovation plan for CP which the UDM has reportedly cleared in principle. The UDM has asked the NDMC to prepare a detailed report and apply for monetary allocation from the urban development fund.
The deadline set by NDMC for the CP renovation plan is June 2007. "We are looking at hiring conservation architects and structural engineers for both preserving and strengthening the structures,"said a source.
RITES is already working on a traffic plan for CP. The initial short-term plan will be for inter-modal links with the Metro, due to arrive in CP in June. "The immediate concern is about transporting people out of CP. We are looking at linking areas like Shivaji stadium with battery buses,"the source said.