Nagpur: Lawyers practising at the Nagpur bench of Bombay
High Court have a reason to cheer. The High Court Bar Association (HCBA) has readied the design for new state-of-the-art annexe building that would provide additional space for lawyers. The complex would be modelled on existing HC building and would be an architecture marvel.
According to lawyers working on the project, the new buildings would come up on a piece of land behind PWD chief engineer’s bungalow, which was allotted for the purpose by HC orders. To be built at the cost of Rs155 crore, there would be two independent wings connected at the top. The first wing would be reserved for lawyers while second would house court’s administrative offices.
With an eye on future, the new building would have sufficient space to accommodate 250 lawyers and parking for an equal number of vehicles. The twin towers would be eight floors high with bottom two floors reserved for parking. A subway over 100 feet wide would connect the annexe building with main HC structure for uninterrupted access without disturbing traffic on the road above. It would have sufficient space for passing of four wheelers. Battery-operated vehicles would ferry people to and fro the main HC building.
The complex would also have an auditorium for about 500-600 persons. “It would be double the size of existing one in old HC building,” lawyers said.
The lawyers would get a host of facilities that were impossible to provide in old building. It would also address the existing parking woes. “They would get big 200 sq ft chambers with facilities like Wi-Fi, telephone, printers. The chambers would be big enough for setting up offices so lawyers can meet clients there itself and not carry their work home,” they said
The buildings would also have canteen, recreational area and a reception counter. “It would be a green building with solar panels on top and also be Vastu compliant. It is most ambitious project of HCBA till date. Our aim is to make it best building among all courts in entire country,” the lawyers said.
#Specifications:
Towers — two (one for Admin and one for Lawyers)
Floors — 8 (Both towers)
Parking — 1st two floors
Total cost — Rs155 crore
HCBA’s share — Rs40 crore
Location — Behind PWD chief engr’s bungalow, Civil Lines
#Common facilities:
* Auditorium for 500-600 persons
* Seven lifts, one for handicapped
* Library on each floor
* Recreation centre & canteen
* Battery operated shuttles to and fro main building
# What lawyers will get:
* Spacious 200 sq ft chambers for everyone
* Facilities like telephone, computers & printers
* Sufficient space for interaction with clients
* Entire furniture including table & chairs
# Salient features:
* Sandstone cladding from outside
* Patterned on old high court building
* Wide subway link to main building
* Adhering to green building norms
* Parking for about 250 cars in 1st two floors
* Office and equipment to be provided on lease
* Money to be refunded back after end of lease
# Lawyers sitting arrangements in old building:
* Old — 600
* Recently Added — 200
* Total — 800
* Waiting — 200
* Registered with HCBA — 3,500
