Visakhapatnam: In the absence of any official documentation of heritage structures in the city and not having a heritage register with details of the condition and their original style, conserving the unique architectural style of the old buildings is a huge challenge. According to Andhra University architecture department Professor G. Viswanadha Kumar, who has studied the architectural styles, typologies and status of the 44 heritage structures in the city, documentation of the structures explaining their history and original designs can only help to keep them intact as and when conservation works like repair, elevation and painting has to be taken up.
Of the 44 heritage sites, he claimed that 23 sites were found featuring British colonial architectural style; six each of Hindu and Indo-Saracenic styles; three each of Islamic and lighthouses while two belonged to Buddhist style and one to scientific category. “The vaulted structures and domes of many heritage buildings are very unique as they are built in a different period of time born in various places. It is really great to have such structures in our city and need proper restoration to keep them intact,” the Professor added.
Heritage register is prepared by analysing the condition of the structures scientifically. “The register will help us to decide which structures need immediate conservation and which could be delayed,” he added. The restoration and conservation works carried out in Buddhist complex at Thotlakonda and Bavikonda have also received flak from heritage conservationists for flouting the norms and not keeping the structures intact. The professor also expressed concern over not having a Heritage Committee.
