Calcutta: An external staircase is being built in the Main Block of SSKM Hospital, a Grade I heritage property, without the consent of the heritage conservation committee of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation (CMC).

The fire department had recommended the additional staircase because the Main Block has only one staircase.

The civic body says on its website that no external change is allowed to a Grade I heritage structure.

A member of the CMC's heritage conservation committee, however, said changes could be allowed if there was an "urgent" need.

"If the owner of a Grade I property applies and the committee feels there is an urgent need for addition/alteration, then changes can be allowed. The committee will suggest how to carry out the changes in keeping with the aesthetics of the structure," said the member, who did not want to be named.

A civic official asserted that neither the SSKM authorities nor the public works department (PWD), which is building the staircase, had approached the heritage committee for permission.

"They also didn't seek the committee's permission before building two gates of the hospital - one on Harish Mukherjee Road and the other on AJC Bose Road - a few years ago," the official said.

The graded list of heritage buildings published by the civic body mentions SSKM Hospital - 244A, 244B and 245 AJC Bose Road - as a Grade I heritage structure.

It falls under the category "Hospital and medical establishment".

If a property is tagged Grade I, then all parts thereof - such as fields and ponds - are governed by the rules related to heritage conservation.

An SSKM official said the fire and emergency services department had recommended an additional staircase - an external one - for the Main Block one-and-a-half-years ago.

"The PWD had sought our sanction to start work, which was promptly given. It was the PWD's job to obtain all necessary clearances, including from the heritage conservation committee, before sending the file to the health department for approval," the official said.

A PWD official evaded a direct reply when asked why his department had not sought the heritage panel's nod.

"The design and the colour of the staircase have been chosen in keeping with the structure's aesthetics.... If needed, we'll take the panel's advice ," he said.

Additional Reporting by Rith Basu