No construction along Jayprabha Studio without permission: KMC

Kolhapur: The heritage committee of the civic body on Wednesday stated that Lata Mangeshkar, the owner of Jayprabha studio will have to seek permission for any kind of development work surrounding the studio.

On Monday, the singer withdrew the plea challenging the state government’s decision of declaring the studio as a heritage building.

The concerned committee members of the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) claim that they have met the Mangeshkar’s aid twice in the last five months. They have also suggested them to approach the committee in case they want to carry out any commercial projects in and around the studio.

City-based environmental activist and member of the heritage committee, Uday Gaikwad said, “There are specific heritage conservation rules that the developers must follow for undertaking developmental project around the heritage site. These rules are framed to ensure that the visibility of the heritage structure is not under threat.”

There are 74 identified heritage sites in the city so far. The committee is planning to make an addition to the existing number.

The committee has decided to enforce the 2012 notification which sets the guidelines for conservation of the heritage buildings and natural features.

Mangeshkar had bought a 13-acre plot from a renowned Marathi filmmaker Bhalji Pendharkar in 1959. Back then, the princely state of Kolhapur had offered the land to Pendharkar for developing a film studio. In 2012, the state government had identified the studio as a heritage site building under which no development work can be carried out without permission.

“The studio is meant for the activities related to its filming. There are restrictions to undertake major changes in such structures. Also, the heritage committee has rights to intervene if the heritage site is neglected for its maintenance,” Gaikwad added.


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