City’s senior and well-known Architect Avinash Bhalchandra Dongre passed away on Thursday. Known for his formidable reputation in the construction industry of the region, Dongre was the man behind the majestic building of Sanskrutik Sankul of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan at Koradi. Apart from that there were several other landmarks in the city that bore Dongre’s signature and stamp of authority.

 

A resident of Buty Plots, Dharampeth, Dongre leaves behind two sons Architect Rajendra and social acitivist Ravindra, daughter-in-law Rashmi, son-in-law Amit Tare, grandchildren Rohit, Tejas, Shreya, Anay and a host of other relatives to mourn the loss. He was 89. Last rites were performed on Friday at Ambazari ghat. Dongre leaves behind rich legacy as several structures designed by him stand tall in the city. Some of them include all the branches of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in city, new building of Ramdeobaba Engineering College. He was also instrumental in designing other landmarks of the city, including the ironic Chandralok Building on Central Avenue, 11-storey scheme in Ramdaspeth, the first two multi-storey buildings of the city. Dongre also lent his expertise in designing Mahindra & Mahindra factory in Hingna, Kamgar Kalyan Kendra building in Raghuji Nagar.

 

He was also instrumental in restoration of Dr K B Hedgewar’s home in Mahal. Dongre’s son recalled that this project was most challenging as Dr Hedgewar’s home was almost on the verge of collapse. So, the design of the rehabilitation and restoration and thereafter monitoring the entire process, Dongre role was most crucial. First professional project of Dongre was design of Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation in Wardha, that was later inaugurated by then President Rajendra Prasad in 1964. Another notable project in the city was the India Peace Centre (IPC) building in Civil Lines that came up after Bangladesh war and is patterned on Gandhi Ashram, and also the National Christian Council of India (NCCI) building and many others. Dongre was also instrumental in revival of Nagpur Centre of Indian Institute of Architects. A strict disciplinarian, Dongre was through professional and well-known in the construction industry for his work ethics.