With Rs. 80-crore fillip in the Budget towards conservation of heritage buildings, some of the city’s prominent landmarks are set to get a facelift.
The Budget for 2014-15 has identified 18 government-owned buildings for restoration.
The landmarks include the Old Light House, Department of Tourism and old court building, police headquarters, SSP, Law and Order (Beach Road), old Band Stand, Legislative Assembly, Grand Bazaar police station, V.O.C. School, Penssionate De Jeune Filles, Soucilabai School, Government Hospital, Government Maternity hospital and Calve College, office of the Local Administration Department and old Mother Teresa Institute, Head post office and Indian Coffee House.
Presenting the Budget, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy announced that the government had proposed to renovate 18 government-owned heritage buildings in Puducherry at a cost of Rs. 80 crore. The government has initiated steps for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for two museums by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).
“We are happy to learn that the Chief Minister has proposed in the Puducherry budget the restoration of the government heritage buildings at a cost of Rs. 80 crore. It is important because the government is leading by example and heritage preservation in Puducherry has gained a renewed focus. The work on the renovation of Bharathiyar Memorial Museum is progressing well. We will also be preparing the DPR for two government museums’’, said Ashok Panda, co-convener, INTACH.
All these buildings are located in the Beach Promenade and the Government Square. Once these buildings are restored, they will present an ensemble and visual connectivity of Puducherry’s rich architectural heritage.
Puducherry has two distinct French and Tamil settlements. The two styles have influenced each other resulting in a harmonious blend of European and Tamil architectural patterns in several buildings in Puducherry. It is important to preserve the unique heritage structures which are of immense value, Mr. Panda added.
The government has also sought to give tourism a stimulus this year by allocating Rs. 65.50 crore in the current fiscal.
A website has been launched for promotion of destination marketing in Puducherry.
The government has also rolled out 360 degree media campaign for promotion of tourism in the Union Territory.
Mr. Rangasamy said that the government had inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ille-et-Vilaine, a region in France for promotion of tourism.
Some of the initiatives announced in the Budget include development of Thirukameswarar Temple at Villanur, eco-beach resorts in Puducherry and development of Beach Promenade in Puducherry. The government has also proposed to beautify the Nallambal Lake in Karaikal and expedite the Phase III of Mahe Beach walkway in the current year.
