Title - Metro sounds death knell for sites, Badi, Choti chaupar to be rebuilt

JAIPUR: It's time for heritage to be sacrificed at the altar of modernity and convenience. The Jaipur Metro Rail Project - Phase I(B) running through the Walled City would lead to loss of heritage structures. An important landmark of Walled City, Badi and Choti Chaupar would need to be demolished to allow construction of underground Metro station.Asian Development Bank is funding the underground section of this corridor i.e. Phase I(B) from Chandpole to Badi Chaupar, a length of 2.628 km with two underground stations, Choti and Badi Chaupar. "The project calls for dismantling of Badi and Choti Chaupar and its restoration to its original condition. The dismantling and restoration will be under the supervision of Rajasthan's department of archeology and museums and we will ensure that we retain the same look," said N C Goyal CMD JMRC.Historically, the chaupars were outlets for social use with water structures connected by underground aqueducts, supplying numerous sources of drinking water at the street level.Presently, the centre of each chaupar has square enclosures with ornamental fountains. Besides, surface noise from excavating equipment in Choti and Badi Chaupars may pose threats to the structures of Krishna Temple, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal, the report says.

"These were historic water bodies so archaeological excavations are a must before proposing stations. Many cities across the world have done that. So they have interesting archaeological museums in underground stations as part of it. Metro may be feasible but only after exhaustive study and research and excavations plus vibration impact assessment. However, it is safer and better to go for a tram line in a city like Jaipur for public transport," said Shikha Jain, director Devlopment and Research Organisation for Nature, Arts and Heritage.

Phase 1(B) underground section starts from Chandpole gate station, passing through Choti Chaupar and then to end-of-the-line in Badi Chaupar. The underground section will be constructed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) and partly by cut and cover method for the two remaining stations at Chhoti and Badi Choupar (Chandpole station is already under construction). All three underground stations will be constructed through cut and cover with top-down method.

However , apprehensions loom that the 'Khandas' near the chaupar having old trees and the structure might also get disturbed as the JMRC plans to construct entry and exit points.

"If the two Chaupars are going to be rebuilt, then I hope they will maintain their original look and not try to modernize and beautify them. It is important to maintain their historicity," said Dharmendra Kanwar convener, Jaipur Chapter, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage Intach.