Vani Vilas Hospital In B’luru Need Not Be Razed, Say Experts

Architects and experts are of the view that the Vani Vilas Hospital in Bengaluru need not be razed down.

While the government is planning to demolish the heritage building located at Vani Vilas Hospital on Krishnarajendra Road in Bengaluru, architects and heritage lovers across the city are standing up against the move. The building is seen to be at a risk of being torn down due to the ongoing construction of metro rails in the area.

The reverberations produced while laying the metro lines has caused damage to some of the walls of the building, as well as the underground sewage lines. The hospital is demanding the complete reconstruction of these blocks. “The Pediatric, ENT and Septic Room blocks are in a bad state and several cracks have developed on the walls,” said Ravindranath Methi, Resident Medical Officer.

However, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) is of the view that the damage is minimal and can be fixed if adequate repairs are undertaken. The BMRCL has roped in a private inspection and certification agency, Bureau Veritas (Civil Aid), to evaluate the damage caused to the structure.

The decision regarding whether the hospital blocks need reconstruction will be based on the report. I am yet to study the details. It will take about a week to take the final call.

Sharan Prakash Patil, Medical Education Minister

Heritage Value of the Building

The Vani Vilas Hospital was built way back in 1935 and is located in the same place where the Fort Church and Cemetery once stood. The land was acquired from the Church of England by the Mysuru government. Hence, the hospital authorities asking for a complete demolition of certain blocks has put its historical significance at stake.

Architect Naresh Narasimhan is of the view that the damaged blocks of the hospital can easily be restored by spending a few crores.

I have seen and inspected the extent of damage of the buildings. There are only a couple of cracks. Therefore, there is no need to rebuild them. If the hospital desires to expand or renovate, they should buy a plot elsewhere and start afresh.

Naresh Narasimhan, Architect

Many heritage buildings in Bengaluru like Krumbiegal Hall and Murphy Town library were torn down in the recent past due to lack of maintenance. “The preservation of heritage structures calls for proper planning and proactive measures. In the case of Vani Vilas Hospital, the BMRCL is to blame. They have been blasting stones as part of the metro rail construction over the last few months. The cracks have been formed as a result of that activity,” said Mansoor Ali, architect.