PEOPLE’S VICTORY
The residents’ struggle to save United Bengal Home has registered its first major victory. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has issued a notice to owners of the home for illegally bringing down the heritage structure and has asked them to stop work immediately.
In an attempt to appease the pol residents who started a campaign to save the house, the owners – Lohana Vadi – met members of Khadia Itihas Samiti on Monday and passed a resolution to restore the intricately carved haveli.
Residents of nearly 50 pols of Khadia had united to protect the structure in Dhobi ni Pol and opposed commercial activity in any of the heritage buildings. Dayabhai Thakkar, trustee of Lohana Vadi, said, “We were not aware of the historical importance of this structure. We would restore it to its original self and those adjacent to it. The structure would not be used for any commercial activity in the future.”
Residents of near-by pols in Khadia, who had joined the protest, were given the copy of the resolution. Ashutosh Bhatt of Khadia Itihas Samiti said, “This is people’s victory. More than 50 pols of Khadia joined the movement to save the old havelis in the walled city. People’s pressure forced the owners and AMC to act.”
In accordance with the resolution between the pol residents and owners, the history of United Bengal Home would be inscribed and a small installation of its old photos would be put up near the front panel of the structure after it is restored to recall its monumental importance, said Bhatt.
