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The long-awaited restoration of the Calve College Government School in Puducherry, a Grade II B heritage-listed structure, has been successfully concluded. The school, which has been operating from a rented building since 2014, is now poised to reopen for students. The restoration marks the culmination of a significant initiative aimed at preserving and revitalizing the city’s historical educational infrastructure.

This project was undertaken by the Puducherry Smart City Development Limited (PSCDL) under a broader effort to enhance the region’s urban heritage. The PSCDL has formally requested the Directorate of School Education to take over the restored building and utilize it for its intended educational purposes, ensuring that the structure continues to serve the local community for generations to come.

The restoration, which involved a substantial financial investment of ₹4.75 crore, was guided by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), serving as the architectural consultant for the project. The primary goal of the restoration was to maintain the building’s historical integrity while addressing the necessary structural repairs to ensure the building’s safety and functionality for modern-day use. Efforts were focused on retaining the heritage value of the structure, with restoration techniques and materials closely aligned with those originally used in its construction.

Significant work on the school included the complete restoration of the damaged Madras tile roofing on the first floor. The tiles were carefully removed and relaid using lime mortar in the same pattern, staying true to the original design. Additionally, the terrace, which had been overtaken by vegetation, was cleared, and the leaks that had compromised the building’s integrity were repaired. In-depth ultrasonic testing of the wooden rafters on the ground floor was carried out, with those found to be structurally weak being replaced with modern precast components.

The Calve College, a building steeped in history and a legacy of French colonial architecture, had suffered considerable damage during Cyclone Thane in 2011, particularly to its first-floor structure. The storm highlighted the urgent need for restoration, as the building had been left in a deteriorated state. Calve College was one of three prominent schools in Puducherry housed within heritage structures, alongside the V.O. Chidambaram Government Higher Secondary School and the Pensionnat De Jeunes Filles (Government Girls’ French High School). Following an inspection in 2014 that flagged the buildings as unsafe, the government decided to temporarily close these schools and relocate the students to other government-run institutions.

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With the successful completion of the restoration, the Calve College Government School is now ready to resume its role as a key educational institution within Puducherry. This revitalization not only ensures the preservation of an important historical landmark but also reflects the city’s commitment to combining heritage conservation with educational progress. The restoration of the V.O.C. School, another heritage institution in the region, was completed in 2023, further highlighting the importance of maintaining Puducherry’s rich educational legacy while ensuring that these buildings meet modern safety standards.

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