Rear Section of Nagpur's Old High Court Building Collapses
A significant portion of the historic Old High Court building in Nagpur has collapsed, raising concerns over conservation efforts and official oversight.
The rear section of the Old High Court building collapsed on Monday, narrowly avoiding a potential tragedy.
The Archaeological Survey of India had issued warnings about conservation violations prior to the incident.
The Bombay High Court is currently reviewing the building's condition, with the next hearing scheduled after Diwali.
On Monday afternoon, a section of the Old High Court building in Nagpur's Civil Lines area collapsed, highlighting ongoing neglect in preserving this historic structure. The incident occurred despite multiple inspections by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which had previously alerted the Public Works Department (PWD) about deviations from approved conservation standards. Fortunately, no workers were injured as they were away from the site during the collapse.
The building's deteriorating condition has been under scrutiny by the Bombay High Court, which initiated a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to address the matter. The court's involvement underscores the urgency of the situation, particularly as the next hearing is set to take place after the Diwali festival.
The ASI had conducted several inspections in October, including a letter sent to the PWD Chief Engineer on October 23, detailing concerns over the conservation work not adhering to the National Conservation Policy. Despite these warnings, the rear portion of the building fell, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of the oversight and whether the PWD acted on the ASI's recommendations in a timely manner.
The transfer of responsibility for the building from the ASI to the PWD on September 30, 2026, has also come under scrutiny. The collapse has prompted concerns regarding the monitoring processes and adherence to conservation specifications, as well as the response to technical objections raised by the ASI. The incident emphasizes the need for rigorous assessment of structural risks and appropriate safeguards before allowing workers on-site.
As the High Court continues to monitor the situation, the collapse adds a new layer of complexity to the proceedings. The court is expected to focus on the progress of conservation efforts and the responses from both the ASI and PWD during the upcoming hearing. With the future use of the building now in question, authorities must prioritize assessing the structural integrity of the remaining sections and addressing the failures that led to this incident.
