French era heritage building renovated in Pondy

A 19th century imposing structure here, used for the Court of Appeal and a Law School during the French regime, has been refurbished at a cost of Rs five crore with the help of INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage).

The courts which had been functioning from this landmark structure were shifted to a new premises in 2008.

Puducherry was a French colony for more than two centuries and became free in 1954 de facto.

Official sources said most of the interior work had been completed and with the remaining work including painting of the outer facade on the fast track, the renovated building would be formally inaugurated soon.

Foundation for the renovation work was laid way back in 2015 by the then Chief Minister N Rangasamy.

The new structure includes a law museum, a library and conference-cum-research hall.

Puducherry has a number of heritage structures with the Indo-French architectural features or Franco-Tamil features.