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Ratish Nanda (EF MNP 2007 India) Appointed DUAC!

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Ratish Nanda has just been appointed to the DUAC

The article in the Indian print newspaper, “The Mail Today” (attached as a jpeg for reference reading also) had this to say:

AFTER dilly-dallying for over three months, the Union ministry of urban development has finally constituted anew panel for the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) with the citys renowned urban designer, K.T.Ravindran, as its chairman. The panel also includes conservation architect Ratish Nanda, Delhi University history professor Nayanjot Lahiri and landscape architect Mohammed Shaheer. The new panel has been constituted for a period of three years beginning from the time of assumption of charge.

Urban Development (UD) joint secretary M. M. Kutty has been nominated as the ex- officio member. Two posts have been kept vacant in the five- member board. UD sources told MAIL TODAY that Kuttys inclusion was also against the seat, possibly for an ad- hoc period. Kutty was the ex- officio member in the previous DUAC too. The previous DUAC panel — under chairman Charles Correa and members Jasbir Sahni, Narayani Gupta and Shaheer — had resigned on February 20 after facing criticism from the Delhi government and other agencies, including the state Public Works Department, for becoming “a roadblock in the completion of Games related projects for 2010”.

The confrontation between the DUAC and the government became so bitter that the panel resigned en masse saying, “In the last three years, we tried to find solutions to the citys problems and in doing so, we received both bouquets and brickbats. But we carried on. It now seems that our honest advice on certain projects has not gone down well with many civic authorities. So being in this commission, where we have put in almost three years now, is awaste of time.” The new panel, however, may bring aray hope for those linked to the 2010 Games. “We are waiting for this new panel to resume duties. Almost 64 development projects, the majority linked to the Games, including finalisation of site design for wrestling and cycling, are pending the DUACs approval. Besides, proposals for about 14 hotel sites have to be cleared. We will soon be calling ameeting to discuss these projects with the new panel,” asenior UD official said. Ravindran, the former dean of School of Planning and Architecture, said: “We will work for the city in aplanned and unbiased manner. We have to create a negotiating platform which delivers to public expectation.”

The new chairman also has unique aims: “We will work towards lowering the carbon credits in Delhi, be it by designing such houses or devising new transport modes.” Nanda, currently aconsultant with the Aga Khan Foundation and the man behind the restoration and revival of Humayuns Tomb, said: “The essence of Delhi has to be maintained while planning for sustainable development. The inherent historical character has to be maintained. We hope to achieve that during our term.”
maneesh. pandey@ mailtoday. in

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