Metro may run over heritage buidings

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Though change is inevitable, development at least in Chennai may happen at the cost of heritage buildings, it seems.

The metro rail is likely to eclipse several heritage structures in the city and about 16 heritage buildings have been found close to the proposed alignment by the CMDA and are facing demolition.

One such structure in the immediate firing line is the iconic P. Orr & Sons, established in 1849, on Anna Salai.

The 130-year-old landmark got a respite for now thanks to Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), which had sought judiciary intervention in protecting this building from being demolished. The metro rail authorities have assured not to touch the building.

But, eventually, sources say, the Metro rail will swallow about 15,135 sq ft of the P. Orr and Sons building to make way for amenities like generator room and locating electrical panels.

Founded by Peter Orr, a Scottish watch and chronometer maker in 1843, P. Orr and Sons has been constructed in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style with a clock tower that still functions as the company’s showroom.

Interestingly, P. Orr & Sons was among the donors who in 1882 had liberally donated for constructing the historic Victoria Public Hall, or Town Hall - named after queen Victoria.

It also figures in the list prepared by the Heritage Conservation Committee of the CMDA. A subcommittee of the Heritage Conservation Committee has found that some of the structures of the proposed metro stations are ‘dangerously close’ to the heritage buildings.

Besides P. Orr and Sons, Wesley Tamil Aalayam on Broadway, Simpson building premises, Higginbotham’s, SBI Building on Anna Salai, Poompuhar, Addison & Co, May Day Park, Bharat Insurance Building and Pachaiyappa’s College are found to be near the proposed alignment by CMDA.

Already, heritage buildings like Ambassador Lodge, adjoining P. Or, has been handed over for establishing an underground station. Sources say there is no public display of station plans and layouts on which buildings would be affected.