And even worse, what has come as a rude shock is the fact that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the organization responsible for maintenance and upkeep of monuments and archaeological sites, is ignorant of the heaps of garbage lying between Lahori Gate and Delhi Gate.
A visit to the area revealed the sorry state of affairs as the department is yet to clean up the area around the fort. The open space, adjacent to the main gate, everyday witnesses heaps of garbage being dumped here and there. What is worse is the concerned department is not at all aware of this.
While talking about the poor maintenance at the site, the security personnel informed that the concerned department hardly removes the litter leaving the responsibility to do so on associations that hire the area for religious purposes.
‘Lots of Hindu as well as Muslim associations book the land for various occasions. They dump garbage and hand it over as it is without ensuring that it is cleaned and the litter is removed,’ said a security person deployed at the fort on condition of anonymity.
When contacted, the ASI officials tried to put the blame on those who hire the area for religious functions but later assured to look into the matter. ‘Now that we are informed about this, we will check the details and will ensure proper sanitation of the area. I will discuss the matter with Superintending Archaeologist (SA) of Delhi circle to improve the situation,’ BR Mani, Addl. Director General (ADG) of ASI.
The SA of the area was not available for comments despite several attempts to contact him.
A visit to the area revealed the sorry state of affairs as the department is yet to clean up the area around the fort. The open space, adjacent to the main gate, everyday witnesses heaps of garbage being dumped here and there. What is worse is the concerned department is not at all aware of this.
While talking about the poor maintenance at the site, the security personnel informed that the concerned department hardly removes the litter leaving the responsibility to do so on associations that hire the area for religious purposes.
‘Lots of Hindu as well as Muslim associations book the land for various occasions. They dump garbage and hand it over as it is without ensuring that it is cleaned and the litter is removed,’ said a security person deployed at the fort on condition of anonymity.
When contacted, the ASI officials tried to put the blame on those who hire the area for religious functions but later assured to look into the matter. ‘Now that we are informed about this, we will check the details and will ensure proper sanitation of the area. I will discuss the matter with Superintending Archaeologist (SA) of Delhi circle to improve the situation,’ BR Mani, Addl. Director General (ADG) of ASI.
The SA of the area was not available for comments despite several attempts to contact him.