Over 5,000 notices issued for violations at Delhi’s protected monuments

Delhi: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has disclosed in an RTI response that 5,360 show cause notices were issued for construction, repairs, and illegal activities in prohibited areas of Delhi’s protected monuments over the past decade.

According to the RTI reply, these notices were issued for violations of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, which governs the preservation of India’s cultural heritage.

“This office has issued 5,360 show-cause notices for carrying out construction, reconstruction, repair, renovation etc in the prohibited and regulated area of centrally protected monuments under the jurisdiction of ASI, Delhi circle, as per the provisions of the AMASR Act, from 2014 to 2024,” the RTI states.

Also read: Red Fort suffered damages worth Rs 1 crore in Jan ’21

Theft and vandalism

Theft and vandalism pose serious threats to ASI monuments in Delhi. The RTI highlights three key incidents.

The historic Red Fort was damaged on January 26, 2021, when hundreds of farmers stormed the site during a protest. The damage affected the booking counter, illumination lights, toilet facilities, security cameras, baggage scanners, and walls. ASI stated that conservation work is ongoing.

Zafar Mahal, the last monumental structure built as a summer palace in the declining Mughal era, suffered damage to its jali (lattice) screen in 2023. ASI attributed this to ‘anti-social elements’ who allegedly kicked in the jali. Officials later repaired the damage.

Lal Darwaza, also known as Khooni Darwaza, built by Sher Shah Suri, had an iron grill stolen in 2022. It has since been restored.

Security measures

The RTI revealed that 382 Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) members are deployed to protect these monuments. This includes 351 men and 31 women. For security, ASI has assigned 359 men and 18 women as guards.

Last year, ASI’s Delhi circle proposed making Mirza Najaf Khan’s Tomb and Agrasen Ki Baoli ticketed monuments. The matter has been raised with the Director General’s office and awaits approval. Officials believe ticketing more sites will help curb vandalism, which remains a major issue at unticketed locations.

These monuments continue to attract a significant number of visitors, both national and international, with the annual footfall reaching two million.

Also read: Delhi: ASI’s night tourism initiative struggles to attract visitors

The ASI list includes over 100 monuments affected by illegal construction and encroachments. Among them are Red Fort Complex, Qutub Minar, Rajaon Ki Baoli, Humayun’s Tomb, Safdarjung Tomb, Agrasen Ki Baoli, Hauz Khas Complex, Jantar Mantar, and Tughlaqabad Fort.

Other affected sites include Adham Khan’s Tomb, Ajmeri Gate, Azim Khan’s Tomb, Barapullah, Begumpur Masjid, Chor Minar, Kashmere Gate, Dargah Nizamuddin, Delhi Gate, Gandhak Ki Baoli, Ghiyasuddin Tomb, Jamali Kamali, Khirkee Masjid, Kotla Feroz Shah, Qila Rai Pithora Fort, Salimgarh Fort, Satpula, Kale Khan’s Tomb, Punjabi Gate, and Qudsia Mosque.