ASI frowns at MCD's Jama Masjid plan
August 23, 2008
New Delhi:
Days before the Jama Masjid redevelopment plan is to come up for
hearing at Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC), the caretaker of Delhis
monuments - Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) - has expressed
reservations about the project. It has warned the MCD that Jama
Masjid area now comes under the buffer zone of World Heritage Site
Red Fort and, therefore, no major changes can take place in the
area.
At a meeting held recently to discuss the project, ASI officials
feared that the Jama Masjid plan was sounding similar to the controversial
Taj Heritage Corridor project where a mall and commercial complexes
were due to come up between Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. It is learnt
that ASI is not happy with the "commercial'' aspect of the Jama
Masjid plans, fearing it would affect the heritage value of
the zone.
Sources said ASI believes that two centrally-protected monuments,
Red Fort and Sunehri
Masjid, fall within the ambit of redevelopment plans even though
no construction or mining work could be allowed near these monuments
under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains
Act, 1958. A senior official, on condition of anonymity, told Times
City that when the redevelopment plans were made, Red Fort had not
been inscribed the world heritage status. "Unesco guidelines stipulate
that we cannot allow any major changes in the buffer zone of Red
Fort. Before the MCD attempts construction work in this zone, it
will have to seek ASI's permission. Also, since a conservation plan
for Red Fort is due to start soon we will have to take that into
account too,'' said the official.
ASI has also warned MCD that the parks in front of Red Fort cannot
be disturbed for reopening the physical link of Red Fort to Jama
Masjid. ASI has expressed reservations on the various changes proposed
in the precincts of Jama Masjid too. In a letter to MCD, ASI said:
"Extending the upper plinth in front of the masjid
amounts to further intervention in the precincts of Jama Masjid
contrary to its grandeur.''
While awaiting DUAC's approval for the project before the
high court order at the end of the month, MCD has proposed to make
several commercial structures like community centres, sports and
health facilities and a threetier underground parking in the Jama
Masjid precincts. Responding to the proposals, ASI has observed
that the creation of such facilities involves heavy construction
and digging activity within the 300 metres prohibited/regulated
area of Red Fort and Sunehri Masjid.
Source: The Times of India
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