Funds not enough, say Archaeological Survey of India officials

PUNE: The Archaeological Survey of India, Mumbai circle, has received Rs 2.75 crore for monument restoration in the current fiscal - a rise of Rs 75 lakh from last year. However, officials said the funds are not sufficient as there is much to be done at monuments in this circle. The original estimate for this year was pegged at Rs 6 crore for projects including restoration of Murud-Janjira fort, conservation and repairs of gates and pathways at Shivneri fort, as well as other works at Panhala fort, Shelarwadi caves, Elephanta caves, Jijamata Wada at Pachad, Solapur fort and Vijaydurg fort, among others. A senior official from ASI said that other monuments up for revamp this year include Dilawar Khan's tomb and caves of Shelarwadi in Pune district, Buddhist caves at Pohale and Panhala fort in Kolhapur district, Mandapeshwar caves, Jogeshwari caves and Kanheri caves in Mumbai, the Solapur fort, Vasai fort and Sindhudurg fort. "The Rs 2.75 crore budget for this year is very less for the amount of work to be undertaken here. Our original estimate for this year was Rs 6 crore as a lot needs to be done at these monuments, especially due to the heavy rains this year. Funds, though more than last year, are limited," the official said, adding that carrying raw materials such as stones from boats to sea forts is a time and money-consuming process and archaeological works move at a slow pace. Works at the Shivneri fort include conservation and restoration of the fort's wall, gates and pathways from Mahadarwaja to Hathi gate. "Of the seven gates here, only Hathi gate has a 'darwaza'. This darwaza will be replicated at other gates here such as Mahadarwaza, Peer gate and Ganesh gate. These new 'darwazas' will be as per the ancient pattern. Also on the agenda this year is pathway work from Mahadarwaja to Peer gate," said another ASI official. The official, however, said that works at the Shivneri fort will not be carried out from the Rs 2.75 crore ASI budget, but from the Rs 4.9 crore that had earlier been deposited by the state government for renovation at this fort. "Out of this, Rs 2 crore for repair works at this fort has already been approved by the director general of ASI, and we propose to undertake the aforementioned repairs," he said. According to another ASI official, there is an urgent need to undertake removal of vegetative growth and trees that have grown in 90% of Janjira, a sea-fort. "Their roots have dug deep and have loosened the foundation of the fort walls, leading to cracks. Though the estimate for works to be undertaken here this fiscal needs to be prepared, we propose to remove the vegetation as well as carry out excavation for hidden structures. A jetty in front of the fort for tourist safety is also being considered," he said. adding that currently, tourists straight way get down on fort steps from boats. At Panhala fort, a major work this year is the restoration of the structure called Naikinicha Sajja, which was once used as a cultural centre. "The three-storey building's dome has fallen off. The dome cannot be replaced as we are not aware of its original make and structure, but works such as strengthening, water tightening and crack repairs in the building will be undertaken this year," said an official, adding that the approximate budget for the same is about Rs 20 lakh.

Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Funds-not-enough-say-Archaeological-Survey-of-India-officials/articleshow/20658213.cms