Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena on Saturday directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to work out a road map for restoration and rejuvenation of Sheesh Mahal in Shalimar Bagh in north Delhi.
He issued these orders after visiting the historical gardens, commissioned by the wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, Akbarbadi Begum,and that houses the Sheesh Mahal constructed by the emperor himself, officials said.
After taking stock of the situation on ground, Saxena directed the DDA to work out a road map for the redevelopment, restoration and rejuvenation of the hitherto lying neglected, historic complex, in coordination with the Archeological Survey of India (ASI).
The LG also visited the historic Sheesh Mahal in the park, which was the site of coronation of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1658, and also took stock of the gardens, spread over 150 acre. He instructed the DDA to immediately start works on the restoration of gardens and complete the entire process of redevelopment/rejuvenation within the next six months.
Saxena expressed anguish that this architectural beauty of the medieval era was lying in a state of neglect due to apathy of the stakeholder departments/agencies and directed their officials to coordinate with each other for the restoration as has been done in last one year for many such monuments in the National Capital.
The most notable of these has been the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, which has emerged as a new destination in the city, witnessing a footfall of more than 1500 visitors on a daily basis.
The Sheesh Mahal – Shalimar Bagh Complex, apart from having restored greens, gardens, repaired monuments, water channels and walkways, will also have a restaurant and other public utilities, once the exercise is completed. Saxena gave specific instructions for rejuvenation of the water body in the complex.
Saxena was told by local residents including people from neighbouring urbanized village, who were present there in large number, that huge tracts of the park had been encroached upon and had become a den for criminal activities.
During his two hours inspection, Saxena asked the DDA and ASI to immediately start cleaning work of area and explore the remains of water channel leading to the fountain area and restore them. He said other structures around the monument would also be restored. The park has various facilities including open gym, nursery and compost plant, lying in a state of disrepair.
