Chandigarh: An alleged illegal construction in Rajindra Park, which falls in the buffer zone of world heritage site Capitol Complex, has prompted the World Heritage Centre of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) to seek a report from permanent delegate of India to the organisation. 

A letter was written by the World Heritage Centre director dated October 5 to Vinay Mohan Kwatra, permanent delegate of India to Unesco. He in turn has sought a report from the UT administration within a month. A communication has been received by the administration. 

The World Heritage Centre acted following a complaint alleging new construction in Rajindra Park without the mandatory approval of Chandigarh Heritage Committee. In the complaint, it has been alleged that the administration demolished a building designed by Le Corbusier, the French master architect who had planned the city, at Rajindra Park and are constructing a new building without permission from the heritage committee. The complaint also stated that the administration has illegally constructed two helipads at the park. 

The letter reads: "The Unesco World Heritage Centre has received third party information regarding the demolition of a Le Corbusier building as well as ongoing construction within the Capitol Complex, part of the transnational serial world heritage property, which might have a negative impact on the outstanding universal value of the property." 

Capitol Complex was declared a Unesco world heritage site on July 17 last year. After the UT administration made unsuccessful attempts to get the Unesco tag for it since 2006, the complex was included in the transnational dossier on the works of Le Corbusier, submitted by Paris-based Fondation Le Corbusier to Unesco on behalf of seven countries, including France, Argentina, Japan, Belgium, Switzerland and Germany. 

Talking to TOI, UT home secretary Anurag Agarwal confirmed to have received the communication. He, however, said they are constructing space for tourists visiting the park in place of an old building which was in a dilapidated condition. Agarwal said that construction is being carried out after taking mandatory approvals. 

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