Shimla civic body may lose iconic Town Hall

Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service
Shimla, November 15

The British-era heritage building Town Hall, housing the office of the Mayor, is unlikely to be given back to the Shimla Municipal Corporation (MC) after the completion of the Rs 8-crore conservation project as the High Court has directed the Tourism Department to prepare a conceptual plan so that it could be put to public use. 

It was following a court hearing on November 3, earlier this month, that it had been conveyed to the department that keeping in mind the historic significance of the heritage building, it should not be used for housing the offices of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Commissioner. It was suggested that the renovated building be put to some public use. 

The court directive seems to be in line with public demand for putting the majestic building for some public use. Suggestions had poured in for setting up a museum, memento kiosk and handicraft display gallery so that tourists could get a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of the state in the renovated building.

However, a final decision is yet to be taken as the next date of hearing in the High Court is scheduled for December 13. It was yesterday that the court directed the department to get a conceptual note prepared specifying the total area in the building, located on The Mall. The department has also been asked to suggest the use to which the building can be put. 

“We have received yesterday’s court directive and will get the conceptual plan prepared as the next date of hearing is fixed for December 13,” said Ram Subhag Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism and Forest.

The councillors, cutting across party lines, have been aggressively demanding that the building belonged to the MC and it should be handed back to them. In a rare show of unity, the councillors have been vociferously demanding the heritage structure.

The Town Hall is the second British-era structure after the Gaiety Theatre to undergo an exhaustive restoration work with the help of conservation architects. The main objective of the conservation and restoration project was to restore the historic building to its original look as several additions had been made after it was completed in 1908. 

The court, in its earlier order on December 13, 2017, asked the Chief Secretary to file a personal affidavit regarding the use of the building. 

The court was of the considered view that it could be used for housing a library and other public conveniences rather than leaving it to the mercy of babus for nailing the restored wooden panels and work of art only for the purpose of hanging calendars or pasting the same over walls.