It's a thin line between what you need to lose to achieve something especially when it's like the Metro. Be it the parks or the heritage buildings the City seems to be clearing away these areas to give way to the Metro. Why is our planning so superficial? And where should you draw the line? NXg asks a few on their reactions on the bringing down of heritage buildings like the P ORR and Sons and many others to make way for the Metro.
I feel that though every city needs development, bringing down structures that are part of our cultural heritage is not justified. These structures are like goldmines for students studying architecture and design. If these structures are demolished then how will we show glimpses of Chennai to future generations?The whole sense of belongingness to Chennai city will be lost if heritage structures like P Orr &Sons are touched and I am 100 per cent (absolutely) against it
RJ Sanobar of Chennai Live 104.8 FM
As far as P Orr and Sons goes, it is great that the demolition has been averted. Heritage buildings cannot be demolished without prior reasoning and permission from the government. Heritage buildings form a part of our culture and should be maintained for future generations.
Amrith Uppuluri, Madras Christian College
When a city needs infrastructure you can't really avoid it and moreover these are expensive projects and necessary for development. It is sad, as it's one of the oldest buildings but you will have to weigh the benefits and decide. Since it's for the betterment it will have to make way.
Jonathan Matthew, KCG College, Karpakkam
P Orr and Sons, in my opinion, should not be demolished because the history it holds is enormous. It is one of the few heritage buildings that I feel is maintained properly.The loss would be immense and irreplaceable. Chennai has already lost some of its major landmarks and we don't want to lose this too.
Anand Jayaram, Madras Christian College
It doesn't matter if the building has a heritage status or not, I would still show it to whoever comes to my city. I stick to it that it should not be demolished.
Aditi Mukherjee, Asian College of Journalism
The knocking down of a heritage building is terribly wrong. Though I am a fan of everything modern, I also believe that tomorrow cannot displace yesterday; the future simply cannot and should not send history spiralling into nought. It is a certain responsibility we owe to every heritage structure that makes Chennai what it is-and seeing the P'orr and Sons dissipating into dust isn't right at all.
Kirthi Jayakumar, a lawyer
For the development of a city, I think such sacrifices have to be made. The Chennai Metro Rail is an extremely important project, which will benefit everyone. So an overall analysis of the situation should be done.
Aishwarya Paliwal, Asian College of Journalism
The very meaning of heritage is the tradition of life that has been passed from one generation to another. Heritage buildings are not just buildings but are traces of our culture. With the Metro project in full flow, many historic buildings are going to be destroyed. I feel emotionally attached to these monuments and I prefer saving them for future generations unless they become an adversary to the environment of the present age. Destruction of monuments for social good is unacceptable as it is not an overall gain.
Amrita K., EEE, Easwari Engineering College
No doubt Chennai is a hub of economic development and a land of opportunity. The growing population has stretched the city to its limits forcing the city to look for alternative means of transport, housing areas etc. Though the Metro is a good initiative that will ease the city's traffic problem, there should be a balance between progress and people's sentiments. History inspires people. The very sight of the heritage buildings in Chennai are inspiring and Chennaites are emotionally attached to them. It is said ” history is the study of past, in the present, for the future.” If we raze down these heritage buildings, what will we have left to show the next generations? How will we tell those inspiring stories surrounding those heritage buildings?
T.S. Karthik, M.B.A, IIPM Chennai
All of us are quite aware of the big and much awaited Metro project thanks to the chaos and confusion that it is already causing to the commuters. With the commitment to advance our country's infrastructure, the government has ordered the demolishing of iconic buildings such as the factory of P. Orr & Sons to facilitate the Metro project. The main question here is: Do we really need to demolish this historic structure in pursuit of advancing the nation? The Metro is being built with the intention of beautifying our country and adding an edge in infrastructure, but we must also remind ourselves that it has been historic buildings that have stood tall and kept the beauty of the city all these years.
Dipanshu Gurwara, X, S.B.O.A School & Junior College
It is unfortunate that heritage and development have to clash in the case of the Chennai Metro Rail. It is wrong to destroy our buildings of historical importance as it represents our past and the skilled worksmenship of our ancestors. We need to appreciate our heritage as one day history books will talk about it but there will no longer be a proof of its existence if we continue eliminating them. Would we allow demolition of the Taj Mahal for a Metro Rail in Agra? No. So why don't we give other historical buildings the same prominence? Sangeetha Maria George, I Year, ECE, Jeppiaar Engineering College
Buildings of historic importance and heritage are iconic landmarks of a city. Each of these momuments that punctuate the city's landscape, have a story to share. However, in an overcrowded city like ours, the concept of Metro Rail is coerce. If technology and design have advanced to the extent of man being able to construct a building touching the sky, a city in the ocean and a canal linking two oceans, is it not possible to create a route map for the metro tracks, such that it surpasses the heritage buildings and avoids sweeping the city clean of its monuments? Creating a Metro Rail with the narrow focus of connecting the city is not enough, it is necessary to take a look at the larger picture and see how the Metro can wind its way through without stripping the city bare of its pillars of history.
Ekshikaa S., XII, DAV Gopalapuram
I believe history and tradition define the place we live in. The Chennai Metro Rail project may very well put Chennai in the rung of top cities in the world in terms of transportation but the collateral damage seems to be heavy. I'd rather have Chennai with its soul intact.
Dhiraj Krishnamurthi, III Year, Civil Engineering, SRM University
As told to Kuhika Seth (student of Asian College of Journalism) and Bhargav Kosuri (III Year B.Tech Civil Engineering, SRM University)
