Historic Makeover at Delhi

Historic Makeover at Delhi

Historic makeover: Delhi's hurt heritage gets a corporate balm as structures on a tomb are restored

The private-public partnership (PPP) model may yet to fire the Indian economy. 

But for Delhi's 'hurt' heritage, it is the new lifeline. Thanks to monetary and technical support coming in from the country's top state-owned companies, corporate houses, public and private trusts, the Capital's monuments can soon expect a facelift. 

Before: The same structure can be seen looking more vibrant as its colours have been reinvigorated

Among those coming out to support the conservation efforts include the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC), Steel Authority of India, Shipping Corporation of India, Indian Oil Foundation, Jindal Foundation and World Monument Fund. 

After: One of the structures at the Yusuf Qatal tomb that has been restored

The new-look Yusuf Qutal Tomb in the middle of Malviya Nagar has prompted the Delhi circle of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to push for more private support in conservation and restoration of the city's dilapidated and 'mostly neglected' heritage. 

The Lodhi-period tomb in south Delhi has been given a facelift at a cost of Rs 25lakh that came from PEC, an export company which signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the ASI and the National Culture Fund (NCF) in the culture ministry. 'Just about 20 per cent of the work is left now. 

Earlier, no one went near the monument surrounded by overgrown vegetation. Today, people are visiting it again,' P. Laxmi Priya, a conservation architect and a senior manager at NCF, says. 

Encouraged by the Yusuf Qutal case, the NCF and ASI are now finalising facelift proposals for at least five more monuments.

'We have already signed a MoU with Park Hotel in CP for creating an interpretation centre at Jantar Mantar. The private hotel has already pledged Rs 17 lakh and is open for further support. There is already a MoU with SAIL for the Lodhi Garden tombs.

Before: The age and deterioration of this structure can be seen as it is worn through

After: The same piece of architecture is hardly recognisable in its new guise

The state-owned company has committed Rs 1 crore, of which Rs 25 lakh has already been utilised,' Priya said. 

The ASI is now looking for more monuments in the Capital to benefit from private partnerships. 'We are now looking at finding conservation partners for monuments like the Maqdoomi Tomb (dating back to the Lodhi era) in Mayfair Gardens, Tughlakbad, Adilabad, Ferozshah Kotla, Hauz Khas and Wazirabad,'' K.K. Muhammad, superintending archaeologist of Delhi circle, said. 

Some of the private parties and PSUs have expressed interest to light up some of these monuments through installation of solar lights and also promote water harvesting by utilising the unused spaces within the monument complex.

'Such private initiatives would come in handy to pull the city's heritage out of obscurity,' historian and NCF's CEO Shobita Punja said. 

Besides Delhi, the NCF is working on 30 proposals across the country where private partnerships can help conservation efforts. 

'There are at least 18 such MoUs in the works, of at least 10 are in an advanced stage. Monuments like the Hampi, Shivsagar in Assam, Jaisalmer Fort and Golconda Fort in Bijapur are progressing well,' Punja said, adding, 'we are looking at a public-private initiative to the tune of Rs 100 crore to complete the 30-odd proposed projects'.

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