Heritage monuments in Vid ‘closed’ as ASI has nosecurity to guard them
06 Jul 2022 09:21:18
By Shirish Borkar
INSOUCIANT approach adopted by the top brass of Nagpur Circle of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has resulted in closure of almost all the 94 ancient
centrally-protected monuments in Vidarbha for the past five days as there are no security personnel to safeguard them.
The Old High Court Building, which is Nagpur’s first National Heritage Monument, the Gawilgarh Fort in the vicinity of Melghat Tiger Reserve, and the ancient excavated site in Mansar are closed since July 1 due to absence of security guards.
The ASI’s Nagpur Circle had outsourced private security agencies to protect these historical monuments but their contract ended on March 31, 2022. These agencies were given extension only up to June 30, 2022. From July 1, 2022, these agencies withdrew their guards from these monuments as there was an inordinate delay in floating fresh tenders by the ASI’s Nagpur Circle officials allegedly due to their autocratic style of functioning.
Gross negligence of the ASI’s Nagpur Circle in providing adequate security in and around these heritage structures housing rare sculptures and antiquities in 11 districts of Vidarbha now has brought them into danger zone. ‘Treasure hunters’ and miscreants have an easy access to these monuments. These tourist destinations neither have any watchmen nor any barricades around it. Surprisingly, no closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras are installed at these monuments.
The ASI’s sub-circle offices in Nagpur, Chandrapur, Akola and Lonar are also locked. There are only two Conservation Assistants in Nagpur Circle and each looking after two sub-circles in the region. Most of the time, they are in the field supervising the preservation and conservation work of these monuments and archaeological sites.
When contacted, Superintending Archaeologist Vijay Somshekharan Nair, Head of ASI’s Nagpur Circle, denied the claim that the monuments were closed. “I am in Delhi for some official work. The monuments are open and our staff is looking after them,” he added, passing the buck to his subordinates.