The 12-member Heritage Conservation Committee of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) will hold its first meeting on Friday.
Vice-chairperson of the CMDA Susan Mathew told The Hindu on Monday that the complete terms of reference of the committee would be finalised at the meeting. The structure of the committee has already been finalised.
The terms of reference are likely to include the criteria for identification of heritage buildings in the Chennai Metropolitan Area. It will also include advising the CMDA on the applications pertaining to planning permission for alteration of heritage structures.
The task of advising the CMDA in preparation of the list of heritage buildings after approval of the criteria is likely to be finalised on Friday.
The committee is expected to come up with a framework to address the issue of loss of development rights for the owner of the heritage building. It has been constituted under the provisions of the second Master Plan 2026.
The nominated members include a superintending archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India, an archaeologist of the Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department, a Superintending Engineer (Buildings) of the Public Works Department, a senior architect of the Public Works Department, a heritage building conservation expert of INTACH, a professor of History of University of Madras, environment expert of the Centre for Environmental Studies Anna University, professor of architecture of the School of Architecture and Planning Anna University.
Alandur R. S. Bharathi has been nominated a member representing general public. Chairman of the INTACH is also a member. The chief planner of the CMDA would be chairman of the committee and a senior planner (DDP) of CMDA would be the convener.
The tenure of a non-official member of the committee shall be 3 years. The member can be reappointed for only one term. The chairman of the committee may invite other experts or specialists for the meetings.
