Delhi parking lot project caught in heritage row

Tuesday, Mar 09, 2010

The Delhi Urban Art Commission and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation have once again locked horns. This time, over the construction of an underground multi-level parking lot for Delhi High Court. DMRC is the executing agency for the project.

The site allotted for the parking lot, which is located near the National Stadium in Pragati Maidan and falling within 200m of the Purana Quila regulated zone, includes a 16th century tomb. The monument figures in the New Delhi Municipal Council's heritage list notified by the Delhi government. NDMC had issued a stop work notice for the project in October last year. However, several conservationists in the city allege that DMRC is continuing with its construction activities at the site.

The DUAC has now asked DMRC to pay for the conservation and maintenance of the monument dating back to the Sher Shah Suri period.

"We are just the contractor for the project," Anuj Dayal, Chief Public Relations Officer, DMRC, told Projectmonitor.

"Whatever has been conveyed to DMRC regarding payment for conservation and upkeep of the monument will be referred to the client. At present, only preliminary work is going on at the site," he added.

A DUAC member, when contacted, refused to comment on the issue.

According to D.K. Sharma, Secretary of Delhi High Court Bar Association, all necessary approvals for the project were obtained prior to commencing work at the site.

"When the project started, several coordination meetings were held between the concerned agencies and DMRC," Sharma said.

"The detailed plan for the project was shown at these meetings and clear assurances were given that all care would be taken to protect the monument. DUAC does not have the right to interfere. It is poking its nose unnecessarily," he added.

Original news source http://www.projectsmonitor.com/AUTOMOB/delhi-parking-lot-project-caught-in-heritage-row