IIT, Archaelogical Survey officials inspect 19th century buildings

PUDUCHERRY: Officials of IIT and Archaelogical Survey of India today inspected three buildings dating to the 19th century housing government schools as part of an exercise to check the stability of all old structures in the wake of the November 29 collapse of a building.

Director of School Education L Kumar, Joint Director Parthasarathy and officials of the Town and Country Planning also accompanied the team.

Girl students of French school Pensionat De Jeune Filles) near the seashore had already been vacated,while government VOC Higher Secondary school and Calve College Higher Secondary school had been shifted to alternative premises.

An Education Department official told reporters that a decision on the future course of action would be taken after the team presents its report.

Official sources said ASI personnel had visited the old buildings in 2012 and recommended that the government take steps to see that shrubs and vegetation on the premises be removed and also to maintain the premises.

A source in INTACH said Puducherry has around 500 heritage buildings, for which frequent maintenance was necessary to protect them for posterity.

The World Bank had provided around Rs 8 crore for renovation of the building, which collapsed under the impact of rains on November 29. However there were no casualties as all offices had been shifted to other premises before renovation work began in October this year.

PWD sources said renovating old buildings would mean heavy expenditure and government was keen to ensure that renovation of buildings wherever possible did not suffer delay for want of money.