puducherry the public works department has begun restoration of a 19th century heritage building on beach road in puducherry under the guidance of the indian national trust for art and culture intach at an estimated 35 crore the commencement of the restoration work enthused heritage and art patrons in the territory who urged the government to complete it in a timebound manner their apprehension can be justified as puducherry lost a priceless heritage structure on beach road the mairie building that collapsed following incessant rain in november 2014 as the government inordinately delayed restoration work of the 143yearold structurethe public works department has already demolished a new threestoried building located adjacent to the heritage building and also additional staircases on the eastern and western sides of the buildingthis was one of the most beautiful buildings on goubert avenue beach road but has changed beyond recognition the original building featured a ground floor supported by a row of arches and a first floor supported by a row of columns it was later altered considerably the original finish white and terracotta red flooring was chipped off and most of the columns and arches were bricked up while the high windows were filled in by inserting heavy concrete sunshades said intach coconvener ashok pandathe restoration work also includes demolition of a portion of first floor and veranda on the western side that has become weak over the years and rebuilding the portion in the same style using the traditional construction materials of the 19th century weak portions of the heritage structures will be rebuilt using traditional construction materials like lime mortar plaster deploying madras terrace roofing system with wooden beams and rafters said intach senior architect a arul