The Railways is planning to make a proposal to the UNESCO to include the Churchgate building on the list of World Heritage sites.
It may not be illuminated at night and may not feature as the face of the city in films, but it deserves to be a World Heritage Site. The Railways is planning to make a proposal to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to include the Churchgate building on the list of World Heritage sites.
The Western Railway is also planning to construct a Heritage Museum at Bandra housing all the state-of-the-art items including rolling stock, coaches, wagons, locomotives, time tables, tickets and logos. And details would be compiled in a book to retain the information for years.
“There are large numbers of locomotives operating on narrow guage in Baroda, meter guage in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Bhavnagar and Jaipur. But since trains no more run on steam these locomotives have become outdated. We are working towards restoring and maintaining them. But keeping them only in the workshop would serve no purpose. It needs to be assembled where people can appreciate the relics,” said AK Jhingron, general manager of WR adding, “This could either be at Churchgate or Bandra, both being heritage structures. But because of space constraint it would be feasible to construct a full-fledged museum at Bandra.”
Constructed in 1899, Churchgate building, opposite the station building, is one of the heritage sites on the country’s list. But it is definitely a matter of pride to be listed on the UNESCO. “The railways needs to submit a proposal to the UNESCO asking the inclusion of a particular site on heritage list. A series of documents has to be furnished which are verified by them and only after they are convinced, does the site get listed,” Jhingron said.
Not only Churchgate, WR has several heritage structures — GM’s residence, Bandra station and the divisional railway manager’s residence at Ratlam. “It is a great idea since both CST and Churchgate are fabulous examples of Indo-Saracenic architectural style belonging to FW Stevens,” said Abha Narain-Lambah, conservation architect, who is working on the facade of the Churchgate building.
Narain-Lamabh felt that while sending nomination for singular building is good, the same boundary can be extended to the entire precinct between CST and Churchgate.“This will increase the scope and would also bring many Victorian buildings in the Fort area in focus,” she added. The conservationist said any global nomination works because it creates awareness about the heritage structure as well as gives legal strength to protect it in the future.
“It is one of the oldest Gothic structures with a beautiful building and strategic location. But there are other structures as well in the city that can be a part of the UNESCO,” said Anita Garware, chairperson of Indian Heritage Society.
“Churchgate station certainly deserves a heritage status. But whether it will be listed depends on whether it meets all the criteria laid down by UNESCO.
As conservationists we would love to have the entire city (like Bath in England) listed as heritage site with several other structures of equally important,” said Sharada Dwivedi, a historian.
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