The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has asked the Chennai Metro Rail Limited the specifics of the project to assess the possible impact on 16 heritage buildings that are on or near the Metro Rail alignment.
The CMDA in a recent communication sought particulars from the CMRL about the exact alignment, detailed plans for the proposed structures that will come up as part of the project and the site plan near the 16 heritage buildings.
This follows the observation of the Heritage Conservation Committee of the CMDA that heritage building premises should be avoided when the Metro Rail plan is being implemented.
The Committee at its fifth meeting last month noted, “Until permission is obtained for any development within the heritage precincts, the CMRL shall not start construction.” The 16 heritage structures are Wesley Tamil Aalayam on Broadway, Madras Law College, Ripon Building, Victoria Public Hall, Chennai Central Railway Station, Ramaswamy Mudaliyar Choultry, Simpson building premises, P.ORR & Sons, SBI Building on Anna Salai, Addison & Co, Higginbotham's, Bharat Insurance Building, Poompuhar, May Day Park, Kilpauk Medical College and Pachaiyappa College.
The Committee has not agreed to the proposal of the CMRL for affecting a part of the Higginbotham's building. It has asked the CMDA to advise the CMRL to re-plan the construction activities.
It has also advised the relocation of obnoxious or polluting structures from the vicinity of Kilpauk Medical College.
After the CMRL furnishes the particulars, which is likely to take a few weeks, the decision on permitting the commencement of construction around the 16 heritage structures would be taken by the CMDA.
