Photo used for indicative purpose only.
Public outrage as residents unhappy over Shimla heritage Town Hall lease
Shimla, Aug 2
From social media to social city circles, the residents of Shimla Town are expressing discontent over the government’s decision to lease out a floor of the Town Hall to open a food court owned by multinational food brands.
Representatives from various segments of society have vehemently criticized the government’s move, asserting that it infringes upon the community’s historical rights to utilize the Town Hall, and that too particularly for tourism-oriented commercial ventures.
B.D. Sharma, former Director of the Himachal Pradesh Public Relations Department and a seasoned public relations professional, lamented that this decision is tarnishing the heritage buildings of Shimla. He recalled the significant efforts made by past leaders, including Jagmohan, the former Union Home Minister, and the late Virbhadhra Singh, the former Chief Minister, to restore and protect the heritage status of the Town Hall during its repairs.
The BJP-led government, under the leadership of Jai Ram, failed to relocate the Municipal Office to the Town Hall, which was its original home. Instead, they opted to convert it into a restaurant, neglecting the potential impact on the building’s historical significance and the broader heritage of Shimla.
The current State Congress Government also faced criticism for disregarding Shimla’s historical value by pursuing commercial development. This decision has been condemned by Sharma, who expressed disappointment over the successive decisions made by both the BJP and Congress state governments.
Monty Maria, the proprietor of the well-known Maria Book House, pointed out the unfortunate alteration of the building’s façade, which was concealed with steel panels to accommodate the needs of the food courts’ air conditioning. He criticized the Shimla Municipal Corporation for not addressing these heritage norm violations promptly.
Also read:Controversy brews over leased heritage Shimla Town Hall!
Maria suggested that it seems as though the administration, including the Municipal Corporation, has turned a blind eye to the degradation of the Town Hall’s British Raj-era grandeur. He lamented that the decision to allow commercial use was made without involving the broader public, leading to the exclusion of residents’ interests.
While Maria acknowledged that leasing the premises for commercial purposes might not be objectionable, local residents are upset that the food and beverages, including continental offerings, primarily cater to tourists, overlooking the town’s inhabitants.
Rajesh Kumar, a local resident, emphasized the sentimental significance of the Town Hall to six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. He speculated that Singh, if alive, would have opposed leasing the building for commercial gains, as it compromises its aesthetic and historical value. Kumar criticized Singh’s son, a member of the Sukhu government and local MLA, along with other former MLAs, for either supporting the lease or not opposing it.
Former Mayor Sanjay Chauhan disclosed that he had written to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, urging his intervention before the situation escalated further.
Also read:Former Mayor urges CM to preserve historic Town Hall in Shimla
Manmohan Verma, former Chief Engineer of SVNL, lamented that the architectural and heritage integrity of the building is being sacrificed for commercial interests, reflecting a distressing state of affairs within the cash-strapped state government.
Kanta Sood, a local resident and former president of INTAC, underscored the Town Hall’s status as a Shimla landmark. She emphasized that no municipal government should consider leasing the building for frivolous enterprises that might blemish the heritage with unsightly signage and paint. Sood lauded the efforts of the first Chief Minister, Dr. Y.S. Parmar, who worked tirelessly to preserve and enhance the heritage value of the Mall, creating beautiful new commercial stalls and landmarks.
It’s worth noting that until its renovation in 2014, the Shimla Municipal Corporation utilized the Town Hall for its general sessions. The venue also hosted public conferences, cultural events, and even mourning assemblies to honor prominent citizens.
The decision to lease out the Town Hall was initially initiated by the previous BJP government with the intention of establishing a restaurant. Ultimately, this initiative was carried forward by the Congress government, and a food court, housing Costa Coffee, KFC, Vaango, and Cream Well, is set to open soon.z
From social media to social city circles, the residents of Shimla Town are expressing discontent over the government’s decision to lease out a floor of the Town Hall to open a food court owned by multinational food brands.
Representatives from various segments of society have vehemently criticized the government’s move, asserting that it infringes upon the community’s historical rights to utilize the Town Hall, and that too particularly for tourism-oriented commercial ventures.
B.D. Sharma, former Director of the Himachal Pradesh Public Relations Department and a seasoned public relations professional, lamented that this decision is tarnishing the heritage buildings of Shimla. He recalled the significant efforts made by past leaders, including Jagmohan, the former Union Home Minister, and the late Virbhadhra Singh, the former Chief Minister, to restore and protect the heritage status of the Town Hall during its repairs.
The BJP-led government, under the leadership of Jai Ram, failed to relocate the Municipal Office to the Town Hall, which was its original home. Instead, they opted to convert it into a restaurant, neglecting the potential impact on the building’s historical significance and the broader heritage of Shimla.
The current State Congress Government also faced criticism for disregarding Shimla’s historical value by pursuing commercial development. This decision has been condemned by Sharma, who expressed disappointment over the successive decisions made by both the BJP and Congress state governments.
Monty Maria, the proprietor of the well-known Maria Book House, pointed out the unfortunate alteration of the building’s façade, which was concealed with steel panels to accommodate the needs of the food courts’ air conditioning. He criticized the Shimla Municipal Corporation for not addressing these heritage norm violations promptly.
Maria suggested that it seems as though the administration, including the Municipal Corporation, has turned a blind eye to the degradation of the Town Hall’s British Raj-era grandeur. He lamented that the decision to allow commercial use was made without involving the broader public, leading to the exclusion of residents’ interests.
While Maria acknowledged that leasing the premises for commercial purposes might not be objectionable, local residents are upset that the food and beverages, including continental offerings, primarily cater to tourists, overlooking the town’s inhabitants.
Rajesh Kumar, a local resident, emphasized the sentimental significance of the Town Hall to six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. He speculated that Singh, if alive, would have opposed leasing the building for commercial gains, as it compromises its aesthetic and historical value. Kumar criticized Singh’s son, a member of the Sukhu government and local MLA, along with other former MLAs, for either supporting the lease or not opposing it.
Former Mayor Sanjay Chauhan disclosed that he had written to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, urging his intervention before the situation escalated further.
Manmohan Verma, former Chief Engineer of SVNL, lamented that the architectural and heritage integrity of the building is being sacrificed for commercial interests, reflecting a distressing state of affairs within the cash-strapped state government.
Kanta Sood, a local resident and former president of INTAC, underscored the Town Hall’s status as a Shimla landmark. She emphasized that no municipal government should consider leasing the building for frivolous enterprises that might blemish the heritage with unsightly signage and paint. Sood lauded the efforts of the first Chief Minister, Dr. Y.S. Parmar, who worked tirelessly to preserve and enhance the heritage value of the Mall, creating beautiful new commercial stalls and landmarks.
It’s worth noting that until its renovation in 2014, the Shimla Municipal Corporation utilized the Town Hall for its general sessions. The venue also hosted public conferences, cultural events, and even mourning assemblies to honor prominent citizens.
The decision to lease out the Town Hall was initially initiated by the previous BJP government with the intention of establishing a restaurant. Ultimately, this initiative was carried forward by the Congress government, and a food court, housing Costa Coffee, KFC, Vaango, and Cream Well, is set to open soon.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
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