Amid the tug of war between heritage conservationists and the Public Works Department (PWD) over rebuilding the Mairie, the iconic 19th century landmark which collapsed in 2014, the project for revival is now almost complete with the government going ahead with its plan to rebuild the structure using modern materials.
Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy is expected to lay the foundation stone for rebuilding the landmark on Thursday.
“The project will be implemented by the Project Implementation Agency while the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is the architectural consultant. The construction is expected to be completed in 12 months with World Bank assistance,” said A. Arul, senior architect of INTACH.
While the PWD had been pitching for reinforced cement concrete (RCC) and cement mortar and cement plaster, INTACH’s preference was for lime mortar and ‘Madras-terrace roof’ technique.
INTACH experts pointed out that structures built in the traditional way have a much longer life. In contrast, the buildings built with so-called modern technique using RCC just 35-40 years ago are already in dilapidation.
The proponents of modern techniques and materials take the line that good quality lime for traditional construction is not available any more, while torchbearers of the traditional way aver that the raw material required for lime or cement is actually good quality limestone.
Just like the original
According to Mr. Arul, “The new structure, including the pile foundation, will be modelled on the original structure using modern materials. The new building will have a multi-purpose hall and the office of the Municipal Commissioner on the ground floor. The first floor will include the office of the Registrar of Births and Deaths.”
Built in 1870-71, the building was an important landmark in the city and formed a part of an ensemble of important structures such as the old lighthouse, Customs House and French consulate on the Goubert Avenue.
Considered a symbol of French colonial power, the French named the premises as ‘Town Hall’ (Hotel De Ville) which housed the office of the Mayor of the Puducherry Municipality, the Municipal Council, the Registry and other offices, including the office of Registrar of Births and Deaths.
‘Harbinger of democracy’
“It was the biggest administrative building for 100 years and a symbolic landmark during the French regime. It was in this building that the first attempt at democracy for Puducherry was tried out during 1870-1900 long before the first general elections were held in British India,” according to Ashok Panda, co-convener, INTACH.
The building housed the Legislative Assembly of Puducherry for four years from 1964 (when the first general election was held in the wake of de jure transfer of power) before the Assembly was shifted to the present premises in 1969. It also provided facility for marriages and other public functions.
The eastern and western façade of the two-storied building featured arcaded entrance verandahs on high plinth accessed by a broad flight of steps in dressed granite. The first floor had coloured galleries and a large ceremonial hall with wooden flooring, he said.
Having braved the elements for over 100 years, this building started showing signs of decay with the cement plaster peeling off from the ceiling, and started crumbling in 2012 with one part remaining closed. The main part of the building was cleared out and the offices were shifted after it was declared unsafe. The building collapsed under the impact of incessant rains in November 2014.
