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End of a legacy?

The oldest police station in Pondy is to be demolished to make way for a new one

PHOTO: T. Singaravelou

MIX OF TAMIL AND FRENCH STYLES The Odian Salai Police Station

If you happen to pass by Odian Salai Police Station at the end of Lal Bahadur Sastri Street in Pondicherry, pause a moment and peep in. It may be your last chance to do so as the quaint blue, white and red building is going to vanish and will be replaced by a new one.

The building, which used to be an Octroi collection office constructed during the French regime, is perhaps the last of its kind in Pondicherry. "It is a mix of Tamil and French styles with a sloping terracotta tiled roof, a talwaram and posts. It has cornices and a platform (the level has been filled) and red oxide flooring. Over the years, the building has been remodelled. It has a garden in front, which one does not usually come across in Tamil style structures, and a high wall enclosing the space within, which is typically French," explains A. Arul, architect.

The building, which is said to be more than a 100 years old, is about to be demolished since it does not enjoy "heritage status" like the other buildings in the town area that have been protected and renovated. It is also one of the oldest existing police stations in Pondicherry.

During the French regime, the building used to be known as the Mahamai Office. After the First World War, the French Government imposed tax on the import and export of goods by land and sea. The money collected from the Mahamai was used by the Pondicherry Municipality to maintain roads, provide streetlights and water supply."Across the road where the police station stands, there used to be a place to water the horses. There used to be other Mahamai gates in Pondicherry too — one near the Pattanikadai Junction where the Vasan Studio is situated now, and the other on the Kotakuppam-Muthialpetborder," recalls poet Mannarmannan.

The Odian Salai Police Station got its name from Odian Salai, which subsequently became Lal Bahadur Sastri Street or Bussy Street. This is because the road used to be lined with Odhiam trees.

The decision to demolish the police station was taken in August this year and the police are on the lookout for an alternative building to occupy while the new one is being constructed. The new building, which is to come up at an estimated cost of Rs. 53.66 lakhs, will have more space to accommodate two sub inspectors, two head constables, 25 male police constables and three women constables in addition to male and female detainees.

"The present building does not conform to the National Human Rights Commission standards. It does not have space for a mahila desk, a writer's room and an interrogation room. We also need separate rooms for duty officers, station house officer, reception area, rest rooms for constables and toilets," says B. Ramaskandhan, Superintendent of Police (North).

Though many policemen want the building to go and feel the new building will have better facilities, many citizens do not want it to be demolished. "We cannot shift from the present premises because it is centrally located,"say policemen. Considering this argument, some senior citizens suggest that the police station could be shifted to the old bus stand premises, which is vacant.

V. Nallam, president of the Historical Society of Pondicherry, suggests that the building be preserved and the police museum, which is at present located inside the North SP Office, housed in it. "In its present location, the museum is inaccessible to the public," he feels. Is anyone listening?

DEEPA H RAMAKRISHNAN

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