Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi and Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) V K Saxena on Friday evening unveiled the restored heritage structures at the Mehrauli Archaeological Park. A group of monuments and a water body here have received a new lease of life under a revival and restoration project. The monuments had had graffiti scrawled on their walls earlier, and the revived water body was filled with silt and garbage around six-seven months ago, reported PTI. The park is situated near the Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"Delhi is full of heritage and there is a need to preserve it. Few months ago, this area had dense jungle, debris lay scattered and the water body was covered in silt. But, in 6-7 months the area has been transformed," Saxena told reporters during his visit to the park which comes under the DDA. The LG is also chairman of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
"In the future, there will be more such projects, and we are looking for more such heritage sites which can be revived," Saxena said, adding, in November, "another gift" will be given to the people of Delhi.
According to PTI, a monument, labelled as "Unknown Circular Monument" on an inscription stone near it, has been reused and converted into a cafeteria after preservation.
"At least 55 heritage monuments dotting the historic park have been interconnected with pathways," the DDA said. It added that the project worth Rs 2.6 crore has transformed the look and feel of the landscape, the work of which began in March this year. Meanwhile, LG Saxena told PTI said more such projects are in the line.
Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi was also present on the occasion. She said that there has to be a constant effort to know "our history, to protect our history, to make things user friendly and utility-based so that people can take pride in their heritage."
She said the restoration of the site was in line with PM Narendra Modi's "vision of Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi". "...The historical and cultural value of the structures have been preserved to restore the ancient glory of Delhi’s rich heritage," she said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
DDA said, "In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi', the Lt Governor today unveiled restored heritage structures at Mehrauli Archaeological Park, as part of the "government's mission to conserve Delhi's rich heritage and its ancient glory."
It added that the Mehrauli Archaeological Park now boasts of restored and conserved heritage structures including Balban's Tomb complex, which was "once completely covered with weeds".
On the other hand, during the foundation laying of the Gole Market heritage building in Connaught Place, Saxena said, "Gole Market is a heritage building, it has a beautiful history, this used to be a part of Connaught Place...15 years ago a plan was made to redevelop this heritage building...today I am happy that the foundation stone of Gole Market was laid again, our effort is to complete its work within 1.5 years. It will be redeveloped exactly the way it was, features won't be changed..."