NEW DELHI: Delhi agencies will begin a phased restoration and preservation exercise for eight Grade I heritage structures, with conservation work expected to start next month. The Grade I category denotes monuments classified as being of the highest historical importance.
The first phase will cover eight heritage structures, including four tombs in Zamrudpur village in south Delhi, the Mahavir Library in Greater Kailash I, a gumti (small tomb) in Humayunpur village, a tomb in the LSR village area and Maharaja Agrasen Park on Boulevard Road.
The other identified sites included the historic Town Hall building in Chandni Chowk and Company Bagh. These two properties are presently being looked after by the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC).
Sources said that a meeting was held on Monday between agencies concerned, including MCD and experts from the School of Planning and Architecture, Jamia Millia Islamia, Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women and the Aga Khan Foundation to discuss the restoration roadmap.
The initiative comes after directions from the Supreme Court to restore heritage monuments under the civic body’s ownership, they said.
“The MCD does not have an in-house conservation team. Since Grade-I monuments require specialised treatment and cannot be altered, we are taking support from institutions and conservation experts to ensure the structures are restored to their original shape,” sources said, adding that the Aga Khan Foundation has already submitted a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the project.
“Tenders inviting agencies and organisations to participate in the project were issued last week. Agencies with prior experience working on Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) projects will be eligible to undertake the restoration work, sources further said.
The challenge in the restoration project is the crowded surroundings and encroachments around these monuments, sources added.
