Adviser holds 15th meeting of Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee
The Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee met today at UT State Guest House, Chandigarh, for its 15th meeting. The Adviser to the Administrator, UT, chaired the meeting.
The Committee discussed upon the proposal of Urban Art Policy in Chandigarh put forth by the Director Le Corbusier Centre. The presentation highlighted importance of public art for rejuvenating the open spaces in Chandigarh and to enhance the beauty of the city. The proposal showcased primary objectives of displaying public art, modalities for considering proposal of artists and spaces which can be allowed for such display, processes for selection of proposals which shall be considered and approved by the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee.
The Committee endeavours to take forward this proposal and the Adviser desired to take views of all members of the Committee before notifying the policy. The Chairman appreciated the efforts of the Director, LE Corbusier in preparing the said policy and suggested some more chapters to be added before the same is again discussed shortly.
The Chief Engineer, UT, made presentation on the concrete conservation and preservation of the Capitol Complex. The methodology used for repairing the concrete façade of the Civil Secretariat, Punjab & Haryana Assembly, High Court, Open Hand monument, Tower of Shadow, Geometric Hill were showcased. It was informed that internal additions which were not in consonance with the initial planning of these buildings have been removed to bring those to its original shape and design.
The Adviser appreciated the efforts of the governments of Punjab & Haryana and the High Court authorities for cooperation in restoring these buildings within their functional constraints. He also directed to take views on the proposed use of the famous Press Building located in Sector 18, Chandigarh which is proposed for setting up of heritage Museum.
The Chairman, thereafter, reviewed the presentation of enlisted heritage items report prepared by the Heritage Items Protection Cell. It was apprised that the HIPC is working on protection of the heritage items designed by Le Corbuiser and Pierre Jeanneret which are presently lying with different offices located in Chandigarh. The Chairman desired to know the methodology of choosing the originals and replicas of those items which are to be preserved. It was felt that a Standard Operating Procedure must be evolved so as to protect enlisted heritage items. The Adviser also desired to know the legal provisions under which these items can be stopped from alleged smuggling / auctioning through wide publicity on authentic value of these items.
The Adviser directed the Chief Engineer, UT, for preparing detailed presentation which shall be shown to the Administrator, UT, Chandigarh and a visit to these monuments shall also be arranged.
The Finance Secretary, Principal Home Secretary, Commissioner, MC, Secretary, Culture, Additional Commissioner, MC, Assistant Estate Officer, UT, Chief Engineer, UT, Chief Architect, UT, Chief Engineer, MC, Director, Museum & Art Gallery, District Attorney, DSP (Crime), Principal, CCA, Director, Le Corbusier Centre, Sector 19, Chandigarh attended the meeting.
Adviser holds 15th meeting of Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee
Besides Officers of the Administration, Sh. BN Goswamy eminent art historian, Sh. SD Sharma, Chairman, Heritage Sub Group, Sh. Rajnish Wattas, former Principal CCA, Sh. Dilmeet Grewal, private Architect, Chairman, Lalit Kala Academy, Director Alliance Fraincase, Chandigarh, also attended the said meeting.
