The iconic ‘hall of nations’ and Nehru pavillion at the Pragati Maidan are set to become history with the Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissing a petition against its demolition.
Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva dismissed the petitions moved by eminent architect Raj Rewal against demolition of these structures as part of Pragati Maidan's redevelopment project.
The heritage conservation committee (HCC) which took a relook in the matter after the petitions were filed in the court had also reverted saying the structures are not heritage.
The HCC had rejected the recommendations of a sub-committee which had said the structures were heritage.
Hall of nations, India's first pillar-less building, was inaugurated in 1972. The ITPO had proposed the demolition of these structures for redeveloping Pragati Maidan as a world-class exhibition centre.
Raj Rewal and INTACH had challenged the same saying these were modern heritage.
While they had contended that HCC had overlooked the importance of modern architectural structures, ITPO had argued that court's interference would stall the multi-crore project whih is set to bring in huge foreign investments.
