Veranda Collapse at Nagpur's Old High Court Raises Concerns

On Monday afternoon, a portion of the veranda of the Old High Court building in Nagpur, a 135-year-old heritage site, collapsed after the wooden scaffolding supporting it failed. This incident occurred while the building was undergoing a significant restoration project valued at Rs 16.92 crore. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported as a result of the collapse.

The Public Works Department (PWD), responsible for the restoration, confirmed that no work was being conducted on the affected area at the time of the incident. Senior officials from the PWD, including Prashant Shankarpure and Prashant Pustode, promptly visited the site to evaluate the damage and investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse.

Constructed by the British in the early 1890s, the Old High Court has suffered considerable deterioration over the years, necessitating extensive restoration efforts to maintain its heritage character. A senior PWD official noted that the wooden scaffolding, previously erected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), unexpectedly gave way without any prior warning signs. The official emphasized that no restoration activities were occurring in the collapsed section when the incident transpired.

Originally, ASI was slated to manage the restoration, but the responsibility was later transferred to the PWD. The initial estimate for the restoration was Rs 32 crore, which included various works at the site. However, due to the building's protected status, ASI's approval was required for any interventions. After a thorough review, the project's scope was narrowed down to restoration work, reducing the estimated cost to Rs 16.92 crore. This revised proposal received approval from ASI headquarters in New Delhi.

The restoration commenced on September 22, with a six-month timeline for completion. However, the recent collapse has raised new concerns regarding the structural integrity of the historic building and the likelihood of adhering to the scheduled timeline. Sources indicate that a fresh structural assessment will be necessary, involving detailed inspections to identify any weaknesses in the aging structure. Depending on the findings, additional restoration measures may be required, potentially extending the project's duration. Notably, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court is currently reviewing a public interest litigation concerning the preservation of this heritage site, underscoring the ongoing challenges in maintaining such historic structures.