Stop construction activity at HC parking site, Delhi Metro told

Thursday , Feb 18, 2010

There seems to be no end to the trouble surrounding the proposed multi-level parking lot at the Delhi High Court.

After the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) — the proponent of the project — was directed to stop work at the site due to its proximity to a 16th-Century Lodi-era tomb, the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) has now directed the Delhi Metro to stop all construction activity and remove their equipment from the site with immediate effect. The DUAC has also directed DMRC to get in touch with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to take steps for conserving the heritage structure.

DUAC sources said the art commission, in its meeting on Wednesday, noted that since DMRC did not have the expertise to conserve the structure, it must approach the ASI. The commission has also asked the DMRC to bear the cost of the conservation. It added that the proposal will be considered only after DMRC follows the directions. "DMRC must approach us only through the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) now," a member said.

During a site visit by commission members earlier this month, it was found that in spite of the Stop Work notice issued by the NDMC, construction activity at the site was still on. According to DUAC sources, heavy equipment was being used just a few metres from the monument. Metro authorities, meanwhile, contended the cracks on the monument had been present before construction started. The DMRC also claimed it had installed sophisticated gadgets at the site to monitor the state of the tomb.

Original Article sourced from http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Stop-construction-activity-at-HC-parking-site--Delhi-Metro-told/581168/