Illegal Constructions Near ASI Monuments
Gujarat high court on Monday
sought explanation from the Centre and Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
(AMC) in response to a PIL complaining about unabated illegal
construction in the regulated zone of Archaeological Survey of India
(ASI) -protected monuments in the city . Citing a TOI report,
petitioner Sunni Awami Forum complained about the ongoing construction
of a building just a couple of metres from the protected Shah-e-Alam
mosque, constructed in 15th century. An old building of Navjivan Bakery
was pulled down last year and its owner Zia Ansari began construction of
a two-storied building without any prior permission from the ASI.
The bench of Acting Chief Justice Jayant Patel and Justice VM Pancholi issued notice to authorities and kept further hearing on January 27.
Upon numerous complaints received from local residents against this construction, the ASI too filed a complaint with police. But cops did not take any action, or register an FIR, which is mandatory in cases of violation of laws for protection of ancient monuments.
In August and September last year, ASI's official Arif Agariya filed 121 complaints with city police and reported illegal constructions near protected monuments across the city. But police did not take any action. Citing this inaction, the PIL has also raised the issue of rampant violation of construction norms across the city , which has got 57 protected monuments. Out of them, 33 such structures exist in the walled city area. The PIL described how ancient monuments like Dariyakhan's Tomb, Bibi Achyut Kuki's mosque and Nawab Sardarkhan Roza lie choked due to encroachment. Last year, the HC had repeatedly pulled up local authorities for neglect of the city's heritage, particularly at a time when the city has pitched for world heritage status from UNESCO. To preserve the heritage, the HC even ordered shifting of polluting industries from the walled city areas.
Civic authori ties have been accused of being negligent in protecting ancient monuments. Out of 13 such ASI-protected monuments across the state, where encroachment has be en reported in the Parliament, eight such old marvels exist in Ahmedabad.
Sources: TNN
The bench of Acting Chief Justice Jayant Patel and Justice VM Pancholi issued notice to authorities and kept further hearing on January 27.
Upon numerous complaints received from local residents against this construction, the ASI too filed a complaint with police. But cops did not take any action, or register an FIR, which is mandatory in cases of violation of laws for protection of ancient monuments.
In August and September last year, ASI's official Arif Agariya filed 121 complaints with city police and reported illegal constructions near protected monuments across the city. But police did not take any action. Citing this inaction, the PIL has also raised the issue of rampant violation of construction norms across the city , which has got 57 protected monuments. Out of them, 33 such structures exist in the walled city area. The PIL described how ancient monuments like Dariyakhan's Tomb, Bibi Achyut Kuki's mosque and Nawab Sardarkhan Roza lie choked due to encroachment. Last year, the HC had repeatedly pulled up local authorities for neglect of the city's heritage, particularly at a time when the city has pitched for world heritage status from UNESCO. To preserve the heritage, the HC even ordered shifting of polluting industries from the walled city areas.
Civic authori ties have been accused of being negligent in protecting ancient monuments. Out of 13 such ASI-protected monuments across the state, where encroachment has be en reported in the Parliament, eight such old marvels exist in Ahmedabad.
Sources: TNN
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