Rapid development has taken a toll on heritage buildings and data on the exact number of heritage buildings remains unclear.

This is more so as monuments are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and the state archaeology department, but non-monumental heritage buildings are not protected by any particular institution.

Previous estimates by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach), which includes old residences, indicate that there are about 600 heritage buildings while the Justice E. Padmanabhan Committee Report, pertaining to institutional buildings and memorials, listed about 400.

The recent fire at the 244-year-old Kalas Mahal not only exposed the absence of a legal framework and institutional support but also lack of awareness among the public about heritage buildings in their vicinity.

Kalas Mahal joins the list of heritage structures such as Moore Market, Spencer’s and Bentinck, which were lost in the past. However, buildings such as Bharath Insurance, Queen Mary’s College and GPO were saved.

Not too many people are aware that Pachaiyappa’s College, which has been in the news for the wrong reasons, is one of the important and oldest education institutions in the city and its building is of heritage value.

The college on Poonamallee High Road was the first Hindu educational institution in south India. It was built in 1842 out of funds from the trust of Pachaiyappan Mudaliar and gained the status of a college in 1889. Till 1947, only Hindus were admitted.

“Historic buildings being used by government departments and agencies as offices have outlived their utility. Hence, these heritage structures should be converted into museums or tourist spots after shifting out the offices,” says Maharaj Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur, president of the Indian Heritage Hotels Association.

The development of heritage tourist spots would give a fillip to the economy and aid in marketing the destinations, he argues. “This will give a global characteristic to local tourism,” he adds.

CMDA sources say Chennai has a wealth of architectural and cultural heritage that needs conservation. Conservation plans should be evolved and the statutory list of heritage buildings and precincts should be notified.

The agency has suggested that the Heritage Act be enacted to cover conservation of buildings and precincts in Tamil Nadu and the Heritage Conservation Authorities at the state and district level be constituted.

The suggestions include preparation of a directory of professionals and craftsmen, manual on materials, methods, processes and techniques involved, exemption of property tax, allowing change of use, tax exemption to the corporate sector for investment in conservation, and making separate budgetary allocation for conservation of heritage buildings.

Special heritage cell formed to protect buildings

The renovation of the 110-year-old historical Victoria Public Hall and adjacent Ripon Buildings, which houses the Chennai corporation headquarters, are all set to gain a quick makeover as the city corporation, in its budget, has announced the formation of an exclusive heritage cell to protect the heritage buildings in Chennai.

According to sources at the city corporation, the heritage cell will have experts from the civic body and other departments.

The committee will ascertain the number of heritage buildings in Chennai and a mini resource centre will be established to provide information related to the history and technology used to construct these heritage structures.

While the restoration of one of the heritage structures, Victoria Public Hall, is nearing completion the renovation of Ripon Buildings is progressing at a snail’s pace, corporation sources admitted.

Both the archaeological structures are being repaired at the cost of `9.75 crore under central government schemes, the sources added.