The building at 9 Jawaharlal Nehru Road was constructed in 1787
Kolkata: A Calcutta High Court judge has observed that some of the city’s earliest surviving buildings, including those at 9, 10 and 11 Jawaharlal Nehru Road, are the pride of Kolkata and that it is the duty of everyone, including the court, to ensure they are not damaged. The committee has been asked to submit its report by Dec 9, 2026. Tenants moved court after alleging that LIC had neither carried out repairs nor allowed them to undertake restoration work, leaving the building in a dilapidated state. Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, while noting that the safety of people working in the building was also an important issue, directed the constitution of a committee to examine its condition and submit a report. He observed: “…it is an important matter where some of the prestigious buildings of Kolkata are involved. Such buildings are the pride of any city and it is the duty of everyone including the Court to ensure that no damage is caused to such buildings. ” During the hearing, counsel for KMC submitted that the report filed by LIC was incomplete and that the corporation was not taking any steps to repair or restore the structure. The committee directed by the High Court will include the KMC commissioner, the KMC director general of the building department, a senior officer nominated by the Kolkata Police commissioner and a senior official appointed by the LIC chairman. It will function under the supervision of a senior officer appointed by the state chief secretary. The KMC commissioner will appoint a senior officer as the committee’s member secretary.