The Supreme Court Friday ordered status quo in the case related to demolition of centuries old Patna Collectorate complex, part of which was built during the Dutch-era, two days after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar laid the foundation stone for the new structure.1
The top court was informed that this complex, which also includes Dutch-era and British-era buildings, has a historical significance and should be preserved as a “Signpost of History”.
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The state government had in 2016 proposed to demolish the old Patna Collectorate for a new high-rise complex, triggering public outcry and appeals from various quarters in India and abroad to prevent the demolition.
The complex, parts of which are over 250 years old, is situated on the banks of the Ganga and is endowed with high ceilings, huge doors and hanging skylights.
The collectorate is one of the last surviving signatures of Dutch architecture in the Bihar capital, especially the Record Room and the old District Engineer's Office.
The British-era structures in its complex include the DM Office Building and District Board Patna Building.
The iconic Golghar here were also used as observation stations during the Great Trigonometrical Survey, a landmark project of the 19th century that aimed to measure the entire Indian subcontinent with scientific precision, according to archival documents.
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- 1. Ahead of the Assembly elections in Bihar in October-November, the Chief Minister had on Wednesday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 29 buildings worth Rs 622.22 crore, including construction of a new structure for Patna Collectorate.