No renovation work in less known monuments

Experts feel that the Archaeological Survey of India is focusing only on a few known monuments in the city, despite Delhi being the capital to different rulers of various eras.

Out of the 174 protected monuments, only about 50 are constantly renovated – as  they attract tourists in high numbers.

At the archaeological park located in Mehrauli near Qutub Minar, only some structures are protected by the ASI.

The area has the ruins from the time of the Balban dynasty, the mosque and the tomb of  Sufi saints Jamali Kamali, a four-tier step-well Rajaon ki Baoli, Mohammad Quli Khan’s tomb which was constructed during Mughal ruler Jahangir’s time and Metcalfe's canopy.

Protected monuments like the Jamali Kamali mosque have been renovated from the  outside, while Balban’s ruins do not look as if they have been renovated of late.

“We feel that renovation does not just mean to beautify, we need to be sure that we are not tampering with the strength of the monument. While choosing a stone, its thickness, colour and quality are checked so that it does not weaken the monument.

A majority of buildings made of stone require plaster; the ASI’s policy is that they don’t use plaster,” says a member of INTACH, an NGO working for conservation of historical monuments.

The ASI park does not witness much crowd. The locals use the park for grazing their cattle. A securityman says the place attracts the homeless, drug addicts and small-time thugs more than tourists.

“Rarely anybody comes here. Reading the namaz is not allowed here and going inside the room where Jamali Kamali are buried is also not allowed,” says the securityman outside the mosque.

A walk ahead leads to Quli Khan’s tomb which is not protected by the ASI. Look inside and you will find graffiti covering  its walls. “The tomb is a place for the homeless to pass their time till it closes. You go a little ahead till Metcalfe's  boathouse and there are drug addicts, garbage all around,” said the securityman.

A part of the huge lush green park, with a rose garden, is maintained well. But the area around the entrance is unkept. “Balban’s ruins are covered with bushes. The stones have not been changed. This place houses so much history which may not survive for long,” said a visitor.

The INTACH  member thinks the problem is shortage of funds. “Allocating budget for the heritage structures comes way low in the priority list. Budget is always a constraint. Manpower is again related to less funds,” added the member.

Experts say that in the ASI’s list of protected monuments in Delhi, there are several structures which do not exist anymore.

“I have filed a right to information application to find about the exact number. I haven’t got the reply till now. But there are some monuments about which questions have been raised in Parliament too,” said the member.

But D N Dimri ASI’s superintending archaeologist,  Delhi circle insists that  renovation takes place as per the laid down procedure. It depends on what is needed for the monument and the allocation of funds.