Himachal HC: Town Hall Not For Hanging Calendars By Babus; SMC May Lose Its Office As Historical Building Opens For Public Use

Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) may not get back the iconic town hall building after completion of the restoration work as the Himachal High Court has directed the state’s tourism department to make a conceptual plan to put the building for public use, The Tribune has reported.

The British-era town hall building houses the office of the Shimla Mayor and other functionaries of the SMC.

It was conveyed to the tourism department, during a court hearing on 3 November, that the heritage building should not be used for the offices of the mayor, deputy mayor and commissioner some public use as a library etc due to its historical significance.

As per the report, a final decision, however, in the matter is yet to taken by the court as next hearing is scheduled for 13 December.

Earlier, the court has directed the department to prepare a conceptual note specifying the area of the building. The department was also asked to suggest what else could the building be used for.

Ram Subhag Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism and Forest, said,“We have received yesterday’s court directive and will get the conceptual plan prepared as the next date of hearing is fixed for December 13.”

However, the councillors from across the party lines are vociferously demanding the heritage structure back.

The Town Hall is a British-era structure that underwent an exhaustive restoration work with the help of conservation architects. The main objective being to restore the original look of the building as several additions since 1908 had changed it.