Buildings at Capitol Complex to get back their original look

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune news service

Chandigarh, April 27

All buildings of the Capitol Complex comprising Punjab and Haryana secretariats and the High Court will get their original look as designed by world famous architect Le Corbusier. Abha Narian Lambah, UT’s heritage consultant, has started work on the project.

Lambha has made a detailed presentation of the condition assessment report on the ground realities of the area which found large scale intervention with the original plan. The report found loose wires, AC ducts, temporary structures, porch and large-scale violations in the Secretariat buildings.

Kapil Setia, Chief Architect of Chandigarh, and Sumit Kaur, former Chief Architect among those who are the members of the committee, which was formed to oversee the conservation plan of the Capitol Complex.

Sources said Lambah had given the detailed presentation regarding the plan of conservation and challenges of encroachments, all three major buildings were facing today.

The Administration has selected Mumbai-based heritage architect, Abha Narian Lambah, to prepare the conservation and management plan for Capitol Complex declared as the world heritage site by UNESCO.

The plans are being prepared as per guidelines laid down by UNESCO for the maintenance of the world heritage site. Sources said the consultant would also meet senior officers of the Punjab and Haryana Government to seek their assistance for removing the encroachment at the Punjab and Haryana Secretariats. The heritage consultant has been given three-year time period to complete the project. Meanwhile, the committee members have also suggested that help may be sought from public by way of original drawing and photographs, which may help in restoring the original look.