Mumbai HC Directs Metro Firm To Reconstruct Damaged Finial On Heritage Library Building
The Bombay High Court has ordered the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation to reconstruct a heritage finial atop the JN Petit Institute, nearly eight years after it was damaged during metro drilling works. The ruling, seen as a landmark push for heritage protection amid urban infrastructure expansion, underscores the need to balance development with preservation in the city’s historic precincts.
The court observed that while infrastructure growth in Mumbai is inevitable, it cannot override the responsibility to safeguard historically significant structures. The JN Petit Institute had undergone a conservation project in 2014–15 that earned it a UNESCO Award of Distinction for Cultural Heritage Conservation, highlighting its architectural value and community relevance. The dispute arose when trustees of the Institute alleged that MMRCL and its contractors had failed to put in place adequate safeguards to monitor structural impact during construction of the underground Hutatma Chowk metro station. The finial, an ornamental device at the roof’s apex, collapsed during these works, halting further construction.
A subsequent probe recommended structural protection measures before resumption.The High Court, echoing these concerns, stressed that Mumbai’s development must not come at the cost of its heritage identity. It also remarked on the lacklustre implementation of heritage protection laws despite their strong framework. MMRCL has agreed to reconstruct the finial at its own expense, but only once the trustees acquire all necessary permissions and clearances from the relevant heritage and civic bodies. The court has given the agency a period of eight months to complete the reconstruction after the permissions are secured.
The ruling reflects a growing recognition of the fragility of cultural landmarks amidst urban expansion and signals a more balanced approach to sustainable development, where heritage preservation must form an integral part of infrastructure planning in India’s historic cities.