Crumbling Heritage: Historic Old DC Office Building Slams Into Ruin Ahead of Proposed High Court Bench Shift

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Mangaluru : The historic Old District Collector’s (DC) office building in Mangaluru, which has been proposed to house the upcoming High Court Itinerary Bench, is currently reeling under severe neglect and rapid structural decay. With the onset of the monsoon, the lack of periodic maintenance has manifested in widespread roof leakages, peeling concrete layers, and walls covered in thick moss. Members of the action committee had previously indicated that the proposed bench would function from the third floor, specifically utilizing the court halls and chambers formerly occupied by the DC and ADC. However, legal experts and stakeholders emphasize that these critical infrastructural flaws must be fully rectified beforehand to ensure the smooth operation of the bench once it is officially inaugurated.

The external surroundings of the three-story structure present an equally grim picture, characterized by overgrown wild vegetation and piles of accumulated garbage scattered across the premises. On the building’s exterior, concrete chunks have fallen away from several pillars and beams, leaving the internal steel reinforcement rods exposed to the elements. Such prominent structural cracks have surfaced across various sections of the property, prompting urgent calls from observers for a comprehensive safety evaluation by structural engineering experts.

Until about eight months ago, this State Bank area landmark bustled with activity as the nerve center of district administration, but it now stands completely deserted with zero public footfalls. Currently, the only operational setup within the entire complex is the Special Task Force office, which shifted to the second floor after moving out from the Commissioner’s office vicinity. Consequently, the second floor remains the only moderately preserved section of the building. While the property was regularly maintained when it was fully functional, basic upkeep has completely ground to a halt now, with even routine sweeping and cleaning being neglected for months.