Heritage to cash in on 'rights transfer' banking

AHMEDABAD: Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) will set up Gujarat's first transfer of development rights (TDR) banking system in the Walled City, to benefit haveli owners and encourage conservation of heritage dwellings. The bank will come up at AMC's heritage haveli at Sankdi Sheri in Manekchowk.
At a special meeting, convened by municipal commissioner D Thara on Friday, Central Zone officials, town development officers and investors discussed ways to revitalize the Walled City.
They suggested creation of a business model by forming a special purpose vehicle that will identify key areas that can be financially exploited for investment and restoration. The civic body has decided to invite investors to restore other old buildings in the Walled City.
A major problem AMC faces is the 300-metre construction restricted zone around sites protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Nearly 62% of old buildings in the Walled City are within the restricted zone of one or multiple ASI-protected sites. "One has to wait for nearly a year for ASI permission or NOC for repairs in one's own building. It gets frustrating," said a senior AMC official.
Another issue vexing AMC is that under the General Development Control Regulations (GDCR), road width has to be a minimum 9 m if a commercial unit is to come up next to it.
AMC has also planned to revive the Kranti Yatra, which showcases the freedom struggle story and Gandhian heritage of the city. The Kranti Yatra will trace the homes of freedom fighters from the Walled City.