NEW DELHI: Humayun’s Tomb may stand the risk of losing the World Heritage Status awarded to it by UNESCO.
A proposed tunnel road project which is expected to come up near the tomb for the 2010 Common Wealth games may be the reason behind the risk, and already a bone of contention for the conservationists who have opposed its construction.
The Rs 568 crore tunnel road project is slated to be the shortest road to connect the Games village and the National Stadium. Says O P Jain, advisor, Delhi chapter, INTACH, “The proposed road is going to not only affect Humayun’s Tomb but also the Sunder nursery situated nearby. UNESCO has threatened to de-list the tomb from the World Heritage Site status after getting the news and that is not a good sign for India.”
Jain emphasised on having more sensitivity in maintaining heritage sites across the country. “There are many criteria that a world heritage site is required to meet. To get to that status, a lot of effort is made. It will be a real shame if we lose the status after acquiring it,” warned Jain.
The Delhi Chief Minister along with members of the PWD held a meeting with members of the Delhi Urban Arts Commission as well as the ASI recently to discuss the project. Both put up a firm opposition to the tunnel road coming up near the tomb. Another round of meeting has been scheduled at the end of this month to discuss future steps.
Says urban developer K T Ravindran who is part of the apex committee of the Common Wealth Games: “It is an unnecessary road for which so much money is being spent.
It will only be convenient for 15 days during the games but after that it will have no value. The project is something I’ve been opposed to as it passes through a green area and will increase traffic flow tremendously. The tomb area is known to have hundreds of underground archeological remains. and all that will be threatened with the proposed road.
In fact, it will allow ugly vertical structures to come up, destroying the visual appeal of the place.” The road is in the vicinity of the Delhi Zoo and conservationists say it will affect the animals as well.
