Kerala High Court Directs Cochin Devaswom Board to Undertake Comprehensive Restoration of Heritage College Building

Court Criticizes Vague Estimates, Orders Detailed Structural Audit for Sree Kerala Varma College

In a significant ruling aimed at preserving the architectural heritage of Kerala, the Kerala High Court has directed the Cochin Devaswom Board to engage qualified architects and structural engineers for a comprehensive restoration of the Main Block at Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur. The court expressed grave concerns over the current state of the building, which was found to be in a severely dilapidated condition.

The judgment was delivered by a Division Bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K. V. Jayakumar, who emphasized the importance of adhering to heritage conservation principles. The court noted that the current estimates for repair work lacked technical specifications, leading to potential risks of inflated costs and structural failure.

The court's decision followed a petition filed by the Cochin Devaswom Board, which sought approval for repair estimates based on a report submitted by the Ombudsman. However, the court found the abstract estimates to be vague and unscientific, devoid of necessary technical details. The judges ordered a detailed structural audit and architectural condition assessment to ensure that any restoration work preserves the building's heritage character and material compatibility.

The court's order mandates the preparation of a conservation plan and a detailed Bill of Quantities before any repair work is tendered. The Maramath Wing of the Cochin Devaswom Board has been instructed to act with professional competence and accountability in future projects.

In response to the court's directives, the Cochin Devaswom Board is required to submit a comprehensive report within four weeks. The case has been posted for further consideration on January 7, 2026.

Bottom Line:

Heritage conservation - Repair and restoration of heritage buildings require adherence to conservation principles, structural sensitivity, and public accountability. Vague and unscientific abstract estimates are insufficient for such projects.

Statutory provision(s): Heritage Conservation.

Cochin Devaswom Board v. Senior Deputy Director, (Kerala)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2815065