To expand a street and install drainage, Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) is tearing down the boundary wall of Rajshahi College, which is a 147-year-old heritage site built following colonial-era architecture.

The college authority verbally allowed the corporation to carry out development work, ignoring the rule of taking necessary approval from the education ministry before giving away its land, officials concerned said.

"No one should be allowed to tear down any part of the college for any reason. Its destruction will be unacceptable and illegal, and will tarnish the heritage's authenticity," said Nurul Kabir, associate professor of archaeology at Jahangirnagar University (JU).

Built in 1873, the college bears evidence of the colonial era's Palladian architecture that was blended with the vernacular architecture of Bengal, Nurul explained while talking to The Daily Star.

RCC Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton said the corporation has no intention of destroying the city's heritage, rather they want to protect them.

"The street, which is a vital pathway for the city, needs expansion due to increasing traffic and for pedestrians' safety. We will build a new wall just like the original," he said, adding that they did not involve any archaeological expert, but senior architects for reconstruction.

RCC Executive Engineer Golam Morshed, who is overseeing the development work, said the corporation is spending Tk 2.5 crore for this work, under the "30 Ward Development and Road Expansion Project".

According to their plan, the corporation would build a 500-metre concrete boundary wall to replace the original, and a drain will be installed near the wall.

After construction, the corporation would destroy the old boundary wall. Then the 40-feet street would be expanded to 60-feet, with four lanes, footpaths on both sides and an island in the middle.

"Our priority is to build footpaths for college students, as they are essential for safety. We consulted the principal during the project's commencement three years ago," he said.

After visiting the site, this correspondent saw labourers already installing drainage and constructing a concrete wall behind the original. A pillar of the original wall was damaged due to workers putting pressure on it. An old dining room of the college hostel was destroyed.

The labourers said they were instructed to destroy the original wall when construction ends.

Prof Habibur Rahman, the college's principal, said he "verbally consented" to RCC's proposal to reconstruct the wall.

He verified that the college authority did not seek prior approval from the education ministry for giving away the college land for construction, which requires some six to ten feet wide area along the 500-metre college boundary.

"The corporation sought the ministry's approval," Prof Rahman said.

Mayor Liton corroborated that they sought necessary approval from the ministry three months ago, and the old wall would not be demolished until approval.

As per laws, any building that is more than a century old is a heritage, and the government becomes its substantial owner. No authority can destroy it without the government's approval, archaeologists said.

JU's Nurul Kabir explained just how special the college's architecture is and why it must be protected.

Palladian architecture is considered a European landmark since the 16th century. Such constructions were initially not readily accessible, mainly used by rulers and forbidden for commoners, said Nurul, who is an expert on colonial architecture and cultural heritage management.

With expansion of colonial rule in later centuries, followers of the architectural concept developed and adapted its design to be used by common people, he said.

"The Palladian style features classical forms, symmetry, and strict proportions. The college building, its open spaces, and of course, its boundary wall – everything was built following a geometric proportion, which makes the architecture visually pleasing to visitors viewing from afar," he explained.

Colonial-era buildings also have economic value, said Nurul, adding that many international organisations pay countries to protect these buildings.

"We consider the colonial era as a curse of oppression by the then rulers. But organisations want to preserve the historical role of the era by protecting such structures. If the sites' authenticity is affected, the organisations might not spend for their protection," he said.

Authorities should consult architectural experts before taking up development work relating to any heritage site, he continued.

"Archaeological experts and architects are not blind to the development needs for expanding urbanisation. They can find solutions to such conundrums and protect heritage sites too," he added.

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and JU have experts who are ready to provide consultations. The country also has skilled individuals to work on heritage conservation, Nurul said.

Rajshahi College is one of the few old educational establishments that became a university-level institute from a school, said Ahmed Shafi Uddin, president of Shushasoner Jonno Nagorik, Rajshahi chapter.

"The destruction of its design, when the college's 150th anniversary is just a few years away, will hurt the memories of its many students," he said.

"We are concerned after observing the city's heritage sites being destroyed one after another. Destroying history is an unforgivable crime, and authorities must stop these acts," he added.

In the past, Bhubon Mohon Park gate, Shah Makhdum College gate -- and residences of Rajanikanta Sen, Sir Jadunath Sarkar and judge Loken Palit, where Rabindranath Tagore stayed -- were destroyed.

In recent past, the old municipality building, Public Library, Ritwik Ghatak's residence and the colonial-era building inside Rajshahi Central Jail were also destroyed, locals said.