JAIPUR: Rampant new constructions within the Walled City have considerably diminished the architectural uniformity of its buildings’ configurations and proportions.
According to senior officials of Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) Heritage, numerous buildings constructed over the past three years exhibit disparate shapes, sizes and dimensions, disregarding the architectural coherence of existing structures.
“The thoroughfare from Badi Choupar to Ramganj Bazar and from Ghat Gate to Ramganj Bazar are the most adversely affected. Several constructions have emerged in other precincts of the Walled City. Whilst some constructions obtained requisite permissions from the civic body, others remain unauthorised and wholly illegal,” said an official, requesting anonymity.
In 2019, the state govt announced that the Walled City would become a no-construction zone. However, post-Covid, when the govt drafted heritage norms in 2021 and notified them in 2022, the designation of Walled City as a protected zone was omitted.
“The regulation stipulates that any construction or modification facing main bazars shall endeavour to maintain the existing architectural volume and character. Guidance regarding facade design or modifications may be sought from the Heritage Cell. Essentially, new construction remains unrestricted throughout the city. Moreover, the Heritage Cell exists merely on paper,” alleged a town planner of the urban development department.
An official revealed that a 2021 drone survey documented approximately 3,100 encroachments. Notices were issued, categorising these structures based on their impact—mild, moderate, and severe. However, substantial action remains pending.
When TOI contacted Shashikant, the additional chief town planner and in charge of the Heritage Cell, he remained unresponsive. The commissioner of JMC Heritage, Arun Kumar Hasija, indicated that the state govt is formulating a Special Heritage Area Development Plan 2040. “These matters shall be resolved,” said Hasija.
Experts say the state govt must expeditiously designate the entire Walled City as a protected zone and cease all new constructions, authorising only specific restoration of existing historical structures.
“I have observed the utilisation of materials like glass and aluminium composite panel and stone cladding on Walled City buildings. Furthermore, architectural styles incongruous with traditional Walled City buildings have emerged. How is this permissible in a world heritage site? The govt must declare the Walled City a protected zone forthwith,” said Pramod Jain, a conservation architect who collaborated with the state govt for Walled City restoration in the 1970s.
