Esplanade Mansion to regain lost glory?

The state heritage conservation committee has finally issued an NOC for the first phase of the 140-year-old structure's restoration

THE decks have been cleared for the 140-year-old Esplanade Mansion in South Mumbai, formerly known as Watson Hotel one of the city's finest accommodations, to be restored to its former glory.

After a tussle between the building's tenants and various authorities, the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee has finally issued a No-Objection Certificate (NOC, copy with MiD DAY) to the Mumbai Building Repair and Reconstruction Board (MBRRB), which is a part of MHADA and takes care of dilapidated buildings, for them to undertake Phase-I of the building's restoration.


The Esplanade Mansion near Kala Ghoda and the NOC issued by the BMC


In April, MiD DAY had reported ('Hall of Shame') that MHADA was actively seeking a NOC to restore the Esplanade Mansion and the NOC was finally issued in writing to MBRRB on Thursday.

The NOC, however, comes with a rider. The MHCC says that it will inspect the Phase-I work and give similar NOCs for the other six phases only if it is satisfied.
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"We will undertake an inspection after Phase-I is complete. Only if we see that MHADA has followed our stipulations and guidelines will the permissions for the other phases be given to them," Dinesh Afzalpurkar, chairman, MHCC.

The NOC from the MHCC states 'The NOC for Phase-I of the proposal is given purely from a heritage point of view and is subject to the following condition: The committee will check the work of Phase I after completion to confirm that proper methodology was adopted. The NOC for the remaining phases of the proposal would be granted in the same manner.'

AD Shintre from the MBRRD, who is the project consultant for the restoration of the Esplanade mansion, said, "We will begin permanent propping of the building in two weeks and then proceed with the restoration work.
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The NOC is only for one phase and MHADA has to arrange for funds for the other six phases, after which we can apply for NOCs for them. The work on Phase I should get over in nine months if funds are available."

While some tenants are dead set against MHADA undertaking the repair work, others say they will cooperate if the Authority carries out the work properly.

Said BM Gill, Joint secretary of Esplanade Welfare Association, "We will have a discussion with committee members and come to a conclusion.

We may oppose the restoration as we are not happy with MHADA's work at all. Last year, they had come and torn down some floors of the building, which was absolutely not necessary. Besides, neither MHADA nor MHCC held any discussions with us before the NOC was issued."

Yadunath Chaudhari, advocate, Bombay High Court, who has his office in the building since 1988, however, said tenants may go along with the restoration as long as it is finished within a stipulated period. "The restoration work should be completed in a limited period and not go on forever," he said.