For the restoration and preservation of the architectural landmarks in Capitol Complex, the UT Administration has chalked out an overall management plan identifying the factors affecting the Complex.
In the nomination dossier prepared for the UNESCO heritage status, the UT Administration has worked out a management plan for the Capitol Complex (nominated property) with an aim to preserve the 60-years-old buildings designed by French architect le Corbusier.At present, factors affecting the property includes development pressures, increasing occupancy load, demand for more usable space, need based changes within interiors and exteriors, environmental pressures, natural disasters and visitors pressures.
Giving a detailed account of the said factors, the UT Administration has prepared the management plan for the Complex.The dossier reads, “The nominated property is presently in active use and in a good state of conservation. There are several factors affecting the Complex… The buildings designed and executed almost 60 years back do not confirm to the prevalent norms and standards of fire safety and evacuation during emergencies. Weathering and wear and tear due to the extreme tropical climate and excessive use has lead to the deterioration and decay of the concrete at many places and is being addressed in the management plan.”
Need based changes have been made in the Complex, stated the dossier adding, “Installation of air-conditioning machines on the exterior facades and ducts running through the interiors, and subsequent damage to the tapestries in the High Court and the Assembly is visible. Other changes include the original floor replaced with glazed floor tiles, wood and glass partitions, false ceiling extending into corridors and exterior spaces affecting the original form and space.”
“All such issues are being addressed in the management plan after a complete condition assessment of the edifices,” said former UT chief architect Sumit Kaur while talking to The Pioneer.
She informed, “Requirements of security in the Complex is also being re-assessed in the management plan and alternate security measures while maintaining the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and authenticity and integrity of the nomination are being proposed. The vegetation and landscape which is an important element of OUV and character of the site vis a vis views and vistas is being addressed in the management plan.”
Identifying various concerns about the nominated property, the dossier submits, “The potential threat of high rise construction towards the north of the Capitol (although, failing in the Punjab state) poses an environmental pressure (air, noise and ecological) to the property as the nominated area lies in the catchment basin for monsoon rivulets during the rainy season and are part of the Sukhna catchment. The parking behind the High Court and Secretariat buildings sees heavy traffic and consequent noise and air pollution which is still within the permissible limits.
Also, due to pressure of urbanization by neighboring state of Punjab on the north of nominated property, the present silent zone is vulnerable to traffic and pollution in the future. The property falls under the eco sensitive zone that has been proposed by Forest and Wildlife Department around the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary.”
Apart from this, the nominated property and its buffer lie in the high risk seismic zone 5.About the increasing number of visitors, the dossier stated, “All the three buildings have a high density of occupants and visitors during working hours and the presence of a large number of flammable material like files and paperwork- most of it being of a very sensitive nature- necessitates the formulation of a fire fighting and evacuation program. Since the plaza was designed to seamlessly flow of into the edifices, there is lack of a protective plinth and recarpetting raises it further.”
The nominated property and its buildings are visited by more than 8000 visitors, mainly work related on a working day besides the staff. The entire complex is under pressure from increasing users and visitors –especially architects, historians and researchers from across the world, added the dossier.