In what can be called yet another example of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s rather timid approach to preserving heritage structures in the city, its own Lord Harris Municipal School has been found to be languishing in a dilapidated state.
Lord Harris Municipal School, situated just a stone’s throw away from the civic headquarters, was built in 1903 and has been named after George Harris, who served as the governor of the Presidency of Bombay from 1890 to 1895. Consisting of three buildings, its main structure, which has the grade-I heritage status, has been in a decrepit state since the last few years.
Civic education committee chairman Manoj Kotak, who visited the 110-year-old school on Saturday, expressed anguish over its pathetic condition. “Part of the heritage structure near the staircase has been damaged, causing threat to its stability. The building needs urgent restoration. However, the apathetic approach of the civic administration has resulted in the delay in its upgrade,” he said.
According to the civic officials, however, as per the recommendations of the Dhanuka Committee, the BMC has undertaken restoration and repairs of the municipal schools. “Tenders for structural repairs, rehabilitation and upgrade of Lord Harris Municipal School were also invited, but they failed to get any response from the contractors,” said a civic official.
Meanwhile, local corporator Ganesh Sanap from the Shiv Sena blamed the civic administration for the poor condition of the school. The BMC has not made enough financial provisions, hence the contractors have backed out three times, he said. “Due to the lack of maintenance, the school has been kept shut for the last five years. About 2,500 students, who were studying in this school, have been shifted to its other building. The city stands to lose one of its heritage structure, if the BMC continues to ignore its restoration,” Mr Kotak said, adding, “I have asked the officials to make adequate financial provisions to ensure proper repairs of the school building.”