Kerala High Court Expresses Satisfaction With Draft DPR For Restoration Of Heritage Kerala Varma College Main Block
K. Salma Jennath
17 Jun 2026 5:00 PM IST
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (June 15) expressed satisfaction with the draft detailed project report (DPR) submitted by INTACH, Thrissur for the repair of the main block of Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur as per its direction.
The standing counsel for the Cochin Devaswom Board submitted before the Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar that the final DPR can be submitted within 2 months.
Recording the submission, the Court directed the Board and INTACH to proceed with the same and the tender documents without delay:
"We find that...INTACH has documented the historical significance, the architectural character, the existing condition, the conservation philosophy and proposed intervention framework for the Sri Kerala Varma College Main building. The objective should be to arrest ongoing deterioration, safeguard the heritage fabric and establish a structured framework for the conservation of the building...We approve the efforts taken by INTACH and direct that the Board as well as INTACH, Thrissur to ensure that the detailed project report as well as the final estimate and tender document is prepared without delay at any rate within the time stipulated in the report."
The Court had earlier flagged the run-down condition of the college while considering the present petition, which is based on the Ombudsman's report seeking approval for an estimate for the repair of the Main Block of the college. It had then directed the Board to appoint an expert so that the historical building's architectural features are preserved.
Subsequently, the Board decided to engage INTACH, an NGO engaged in heritage conservation and comprising former students of the college, to prepare the DPR.
The case is posted on August 21 for further consideration.
Case No: DBP No. 67 of 2025
Case Title: The Cochin Devaswom Board v. Senior Deputy Director
Amicus Curiae for Ombudsman: P. Ramachandran
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