Patna/Danapur, June 6 (PTI): A historic railway town in Patna district, Khagaul, has seen a significant part of its architectural heritage demolished. A nearly century-old building, known as N C Ghosh Institute, which was once a prime recreational centre, has been largely razed to accommodate a new elevated road project.
The institute, originally established by the East Indian Railway and located near the pivotal Danapur Station on the Delhi-Howrah line, was renowned for hosting theatrical plays and social gatherings decades ago. However, with the demolition crews in action, this landmark has now entered history books, its vibrant red facade giving way to new developments.
Ironically, the demolition occurs just months after the centenary celebrations of the Indian Railway's Danapur Division, which owns the building, were hosted at a nearby railway stadium. A once-grand two-storey edifice, noted for its British-era ballroom, has been reduced to remnants, with only old metal garters visibly holding the former roof.
The N C Ghosh Institute, possibly renamed post-independence, had been earmarked for demolition months ago to make way for a vital road connecting Danapur to Bihta, another historic town in the district. Alongside this building, the V N Sharma Institute, another age-old railway structure, also faces demolition looming due to the road project's alignment.
Local residents and long-time inhabitants of the area are mourning the loss of such historical landmarks and urge authorities to consider heritage preservation in their development plans. Khagaul is rich with remnants of the colonial era, including the Danapur railway station, the DRM's residence known as 'Rail Sadan', old railway schools, hospitals, and quaint churches.
Before the Danapur Division's centennial celebrations, efforts were made to trace the historical roots of these institutes but proved fruitless. Heritage experts still estimate the N C Ghosh Institute structure to be around a century old. Though no specific evidence exists, it's believed to be renamed after Rai Bahadur N C Ghosh, an influential divisional superintendent in the 1930s.
The institute, once a grand site of social gatherings, had served as a community hall in recent years. Historically, the Danapur Division has managed railway lines and stations of significant age, being originally established on January 1, 1925, with major celebrations marking its 100th year earlier this year.
The division proudly showcased its history during the January celebrations at Jagjivan Stadium, using projection mapping on a replica DRM Building, exhibiting archival materials. Initially under Eastern Railway since 1952 post-Indian Independence, Danapur Division transitioned to East Central Railway in 2002, headquartered in Hajipur, Bihar.
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