Now, roads to replace heritage island

Sudhakar Rao / TNN / Jan 3, 2006, 21:20 IST

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Bulldozers will soon demolish the heritage structures of Nanavat island in Surat to facilitate a roadwidening project.

SURAT: In a city that is fast developing, Nanavat remains stuck in time, an island that preserves heritage structures amidst a brick, concrete and steel jungle.
But no more �� bulldozers will soon bring raze to the ground about 200 intricately carved houses, built with teak brought from Burma (now Myanmar) about two centuries ago, to facilitate a roadwidening project.
Even as Gujarat kicks off 'Year of Tourism-2006', the Surat Municipal Corporation is going ahead with its plan to demolish the diamond city��s oldest 'pol' where, according folklore, Shivaji had buried wealth plundered from the area during his raids here.
And it is ironical that it is the SMC that had added Nanavat in its route for a Heritage Walk organised by it in September and was planning to add the area in the proposed heritage map of the city.

Old-timers say the area was inhabited by "banias" who traded with foreigners and their rich earnings reflected in the opulent structures of Nanawat.
Most of the houses here are now locked and in a dilapidated condition. "People have moved out over the years and settled in posh localities like Athwalines, Ghod Dod, Adajan and Piplod for want of better amenities," says Nayan Bharatiya, a resident of Nanavat who moved to Ghod Dhod area few years ago.
Sources in the SMC claim that the drive was ordered as the houses came in the way of road alignment work and led to traffic congestion in the area.
The SMC has proposed to widen the road �� which is at 20 feet �� to 35 feet. Says Hasmukh Dalal, a resident of the area: "It is unfortunate that instead of preserving the settlements or making some alternative arrangement, the civic authorities have decided to raze them." No senior SMC official could be contacted for comments.

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