Mounds of garbage, stench and flies are what a sightseer will be welcomed with on visiting some historical monuments preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the National Capital.
This negligence on the part of civic bodies has brought them under the scanner, yet again. The Ministry of Culture had set up a Special Task Force (STF) comprising eminent officials of the bodies, but they are yet to take any measure regarding removal of unwanted structures in the vicinity of heritage structures.
According to ASI, at least eight such monuments, including Humayun’s Tomb, Masjid Moth, Khirki Mosque and lal Gumbad among others, are lying in a state of abject neglect. The monuments are under grave threat from garbage dumps emitting noxious gases.
Apart from the unpleasant view and foul smell, the filth surrounding the heritage buildings is as harmful to their edifice as it is for humans.Biran Ka Gumbad monument in South Delhi’s Green Park area is not even visible due to encroachment by taxi drivers and garbage vats.
“This dumpyard has been here since time immemorial. It is unfortunate that it is placed near a monument and degrades its heritage. It is the only junkyard in Green Park,” said Parvesh, a garbage collector, who has been working here since 15 years.
Other disregarded monuments include Khirki Mosque, lal Gumbad (Malviya Nagar), Masjid Moth, Satpula, Bade Khan’s tomb (South Extension-I).
Public toilets, wasteyards and overhead wires have ruined the appearance of the Daryaganj City Wall, which is one of the oldest establishments of the British and a major commercial hub in the Old Delhi area.
In a meeting, held in the month of July, Chandresh Kumari Katoch, Union Culture Minister, had discussed at length about the persistent problem of dumpyards ruining the approach to these monuments and constituted a Special Task Force committee to look into the matter and report within two months.
The committee chaired by Additional Secretary of Urban Development Ministry comprises the Commissioners of all three Municipal Corporations (North, South, East), Chairman of DDA and NDMC and were asked to take steps and file a report on the situation by September end.
As per the meeting, on the issue of relocation of wasteyards and electrical transformers located close to monuments, the NDMC had assured of an immediate action to protect the monuments. However, there has been no action so far on the condition even a month and a half later after the constitution of the committee.
The ASI feels that the civic bodies in the Capital (Corporations, NDMC, and DDA) are equally responsible for the plight of monuments as far as garbage dumps and electricity installations are concerned. “One Government body is protecting, the other is destroying. It is a collective responsibility of the civic bodies and the ASI to preserve monuments. We have liaised with MCD officials and other civic bodies regarding the dumpyards but nothing is being done as of now,” said Vasant Swarnkar, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI (Delhi circle).
Huge mounds of garbage, electricity installations and overhead wires right outside the monuments are blotting not just the cultural heritage, but also the beautiful ambience and legacy that once used to be.