Though some heritage experts have not taken kindly to the idea, the AMC is thinking of demolishing the building for expansion of the BRTS.
The Ellisbridge police station, which was built by the British in 1942, may have to be demolished to make way for the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS). Though some heritage experts have not taken kindly to the idea, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is thinking of demolishing the building for expansion of the BRTS. Sources said the police station may be shifted to Krushi Bhavan in Paldi.
Parts of this historic building were demolished two times earlier to widen Ashram Road. This time, however, the entire building may be razed.
The building is one of the first police stations buildings to be built in the city. Sources in the police told DNA that Ellisbridge police station was built by the British in 1942 when the main entry to the city was from Ellisbridge.
“Ellisbridge was then the only bridge connecting the eastern part of the city with the western part. Ashram Road was then used as a highway. Hence, a police station was needed at this location,” said former DGP and retired IPS officer, AK Bhargav. He further said that the proposal to remove the police station had been pending for long because of the Town Planning scheme for the area. “However, the police had refused to allow the shifting of the police station from this strategic location,” Bhargav said.
Another police officer, who didn’t want to be identified, told DNA that the BRTS route currently extends till Victoria Garden. “It will be continued further towards Gujarat College via Ellisbridge. Hence, the police station building, which is in the way, may have to be razed,” the police officer said. AMC commissioner Guruprasad Mohapatra conceded that the building falls on the BRTS route but insisted that no final decision had been taken regarding the proposal to remove it. “We are trying to find an alternative to this so that the building does not have to be demolished,” he said.
Police officers are unwilling to say anything officially. "I am not aware of the plan to shift the police station," joint commissioner of police, Ajay Tomar told DNA. Similarly, JCP, headquarters, Meera Ramnivas, also said that there was no official word about removing the police station. Heritage expert Yatin Pandya said that the very fact that the structure was built in 1942 makes it a colonial structure. "It is important that the city be planned in such a way that it does not affect colonial structures. These structures should be conserved," he said.
However, heritage expert PKV Nayar had a different view of the matter. He said that the structure was built in 1942 but it did not have any unique architectural characteristic that could make it important enough for conservation.
(With inputs from Kinjal Desai and Jumana Shah)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}