Now Reading: Heritage British-era building in Karwar faces NHAI demolition threat
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Heritage British-era building in Karwar faces NHAI demolition threat
The 164-year-old Public Works Department divisional office building in Karwar, Karnataka, built in 1862 and once the district headquarters under British rule, may soon be demolished. The National Highways Authority of India…
The Story in Brief
The 164-year-old Public Works Department divisional office building in Karwar, Karnataka, built in 1862 and once the district headquarters under British rule, may soon be demolished. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) acquired the property years ago for a highway expansion project, paying over Rs 4 crore in compensation, but later scaled back the plan. The building currently still houses the PWD office, which is set to shift to a new structure nearby.
The NHAI project director, K Shivakumar, said no demolition decision has been made yet, and it will depend on future land requirements. Social activist B G Girish has urged authorities to preserve the structure, calling it a rare example of British coastal administrative architecture. A senior PWD official noted the building, built with large stones and lime mortar, remains remarkably strong despite its age.
The Indian Opinion
The usual cry to save every old building ignores that NHAI already paid crores in compensation and scaled back its plan. Karwar needs road connectivity, but demolishing a 164-year-old structure that is still functional seems wasteful. The test is simple: if the circle expansion stays at 30 metres, does NHAI really need this plot? If not, preserving the building would cost little more than leaving it standing. Why knock down a piece of history that still serves its purpose?
Source: deccanherald.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
