Heritage call: Residents step up to preserve Le Corbusier’s legacy

The structure marked the beginning of the second phase of Chandigarh’s construction.

It was inaugurated by M S Randhawa,the first chief commissioner of the city,on December 25,1966.

As the structure had blackened and its surroundings were littered with garbage and overgrown weeds,the group took the initiative to clean it up with their plastic brushes and domestic detergent.

The apathy of the Chandigarh Administration towards these structures has ensured that their condition remains pitiable.

“It is our city and we need to keep it clean. We like keeping our houses clean but do not give a thought to the surroundings. As the heritage of the city needs to be preserved,we got together to make a difference,” Kapil Sakhuja,a volunteer in the group,said.

The other volunteers in the group were: Harpreet Singh,Sunaina,Nargis,Ruma,Navleen,Shivani and Preet Arjun.

According to the group,the “initiative should be a wake-up call for the Administration. When a handful of us equipped with basic instruments can clean up a structure,the Administration can do much more in preserving the city’s heritage”.

Gaurav Chhabra,founder of NGO Humlog which led the initiative,said,“The city has an architectural legacy,which should be looked after. Till the Administration takes charge,we will continue with our initiative.”