VELLORE: In a bid to save the Vellore Fort, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) issued notices to the owners of 14 buildings that were constructed without permission around the Fort.
An ASI official said, “The government of India had introduced an Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, March 2010. According to this Act, no building should be constructed within 100 metres around the protected monument area.”
The fort was built in the 15th century and is spread around 150 acres. It also houses the popular Jalagandeswarar Temple, a church, a mosque, fort museum, forest office, registrar’s office, police training academy and a ground. The Vellore Cantonment station, Makhan area, Koshala and Periyar Park are located on the other three sides of the fort.
As of now, 14 buildings in the Long Bazaar area and Sunnambukara Street built after 2010 were issued notices, he added. The new fish market built at the Makhan area by Vellore Corporation and a building owned by a PMK MLA here were also served notices. Sources said that if the building owner did not respond to the notice, steps would be taken to file case against them. This is step was taken to save the monument.