[Reader-list] Delhi Urban Arts Commission

[Ratish Nanda]

Dear All



Some of you would have read the Indian Express report titled *'DUAC set for
a new, young look'* on February 16/17 2008; for those who did not, the story
is available at http://www.indianexpress.com/printerFriendly/273614.html#



I write to share my angst, as a Delhi based architect, at alarming proposals
for Delhi that would set the city towards self destruction AND the
disrespect shown to senior professionals volunteering advice with nothing
but the city's interest in mind. While being a proponent of 'Bhagidari' or
partnership in governance this government has ably demonstrated its disdain
for following the due process.



The Delhi Urban Art Commission was set up by an Act of Parliament in
1973<http://www.duac.org/appendices_duacact.html>to "
*advise the Government of India in the matter of preserving, developing and
maintaining the aesthetic quality of urban and environmental design within
Delhi and to provide advice and guidance to any local body in respect of any
project of building operations or engineering operations or any development
proposal which affects or is like to affect the skyline or the aesthetic
quality of the surroundings or any public amenity provided therein*". DUAC
is non-statutory and has only an advisory role, even this is too much for
our political masters to bear.



It is obvious from the report that the Government of Delhi has not taken
kindly on being given occasional advice by an eminent though non-statutory
DUAC on the several projects that are brought to the commission for 'advice
or approval'. It is also obvious from the Indian Express report that
the government circular has been 'leaked' by the government in a disgraceful
manner as the present DUAC headed by internationally remowned architect
Charles Correa still has several months of its term yet to expire. I have
interacted with some very fine officers in the government with a deep
knowledge of urban issues yet their voices seem to have been similarly
stamped out.



Contrary to the impression the article and the anonymous source it quotes
gives, the DUAC members is essentially provide a voluntary service essential
in times when Delhi has been under tremendous pressure for haphazard (at
best) construction and when poorly prepared proposals that would inflict
irreparable damage to the historic city of Delhi at the cost several hundred
crores of tax payers money. It appears that the government wishes to give a
'new young look' to the DUAC yet it is clear the government is more keen on
compliant members than those whose advice really counts. With several
hundred projects to screen, it is experience in urban issues that is
required NOT the enthusiasm of youth.



While writing this e mail I was surprised to learn from the DUAC website *
http://www.duac.org/  *of the number of approvals given with ease and the
simple advice offered in other situations.* *While an average Delhi resident
may require over a dozen permissions to build his/her home – more so if it
is sited in a special zone, the government is seemingly 'fed up' at having
to take 'advice' for mega infrastructure projects such as the elevated
east-west corridor – partly on the riverbed and partly at a 'five storeyed
building height' and despite an over 1000 crore expected cost being proposed
without any linkages to the city's urban transport network, without a
Community Impact Assessment or an Environmental Impact Asssement or any of
the other studies that would be considered routine in any other civilized
country before an expenditure of such magnitude or a development with such
an enormous aesthetic impact.



Even the common man takes a second opinion in matters of health and does not
trust a quack for treatment of disease yet this sense does not prevail for
the health of a city we all call home. Just as a medical disease cannot be
cured without proper pathological tests, urban infrastructure projects, such
as the famed High Capacity Bus System, should not be designed without proper
studies and planning, is that too hard for the government to accept?



For many in Delhi, DUAC has not been 'aggressive enough' at dismissing
'mindless schemes' that have occasionally been proposed under
political/developer pressure but does an organization set up as a result of
an act of Parliament not deserve more respect by the government. Does it
also not deserve to command statutory power? DUAC would not be so important
if the government followed the law in spirit and not only in letter.



The only way forward seems to be more citizen interest in urban affairs, I
write to you to share thoughts and record my anguish, in the hope that
someone, somewhere will have the ability of reminding this 'mai baap'
government and its media savvy officials of their responsibility towards our
city and courtesy towards its citizens – a long term vision for Delhi is
needed and we need a stronger DUAC to help create it.



Warm regards