News / Author / Parvez Sultan

Parvez Sultan

Parvez Sultan writes on heritage, urban-civic issues, Delhi government, and politics. Earlier, he headed hyper local bureau — South Delhi — at Hindustan Times. He has earlier reported on Delhi government, political parties, municipal bodies, Delhi High Court, Lokayukta and Central Administrative Tribunal.

Articles by Parvez Sultan

Over century-old library to get digital push

The entire collection of books at the Central Archaeological Library is set to be digitised for preservation.

Established in 1902, the Central Archaeological Library is owned by the Archaeological Survey of India and boasts of 1.5 lakh books.(Photo: Sourced)

cities

Updated on Oct 07, 2018 01:31 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Residents’ body using Lodi-era tomb as office, Delhi high court seeks explanation

Defence Colony is among the earliest colonies set up in south Delhi after Independence. The vast vacant land near Kotla Mubarakpur village was earmarked to lay out settlement to relocate officers from the armed forces. The colony has more than 1,600 plots and 18 DDA flats.

Constructed 500 years ago, the notified heritage structure — christened the gumti of Shaikh Ali — is serving as the local residents’ welfare association’s (RWA) office since 1960 and is out of bounds to the public.(Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)

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Published on Sep 28, 2018 04:04 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Hidden Mughal-era artwork to be latest Red Fort attraction

This Mughal-era artwork — geometric and floral motifs in an 80-metre-long vaulted arcade called Chhatta bazaar — was hidden under multiple coats of whitewashing applied casually over the years as part of Red Fort’s maintenance and structural conservation work.

A worker cleans the mural adorning the roof of Chhatta bazaar, situated inside the Red Fort, on Wednesday.(Burhaan Kinu/HT Photo)

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Updated on Sep 19, 2018 07:44 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Bat waste causing damage to 660-year-old Khirki mosque

Salt in bat excreta erodes stones and mortars, an official of the Archaeological Survey of India said, adding that instructions have been issued to keep the building well lit, especially at nights, to keep bats at bay.

Despite its age, the structure is in good condition, except for a few domes and pillars, which are showing sign of corrosion.(File Photo)

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Updated on Sep 13, 2018 08:30 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Coins found at Delhi’s Khirki mosque may be from Sher Shah’s era

Some 254 copper coins were discovered buried just 20 centimetres below the ground at Khirki mosque in south Delhi.

While cleaning the Khirki mosque compound as part of the ongoing conservation work at the 14th century building, a team of ASI’s Delhi circle had found the coins buried near the causeway along the southern wall Monday.(Burhaan Kinu/HT Photo)

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Updated on Sep 13, 2018 08:37 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Medieval period metal coins found at Khirki mosque in Delhi

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has stumbled upon a hoard of medieval period metal coins during the conservation of Khirki Masjid, a 14th century mosque in South Delhi.

The Khirki Masjid, close to the satpula, a seven arched bridge on the edge of southern wall of Jahapanah (the fourth city of Delhi), was a fort built by the prime minister of Feroz Shah Tughlaq around mid-14the century.(File Photo)

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Published on Sep 12, 2018 04:17 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

BJP leaders in Delhi feel seniors not vociferous against AAP, plan own campaigns

A section of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Delhi are planning their own campaigns against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as they feel the state leadership has not confronted the ruling party in an ‘appropriate’ manner.

A senior BJP leader in Delhi said if the party needs to strengthen its position in the coming Lok Sabha polls, the local leadership should jointly plan a series of protest on the streets.(AFP/Picture for representation)

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Published on Sep 12, 2018 03:46 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

New-look Purana Qila lake to be opened to public on October 2

As part of the lake revival project, NBCC is re-laying walkways, installing decorative lights, creating cabanas, and placing 11 aerating fountains in the pond to attract tourists.

Union culture minister Mahesh Sharma said the redevelopment-cum-beautification work at Purana Qila Lake Complex is on the verge of completion. (Sakib Ali / HT File)

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Updated on Sep 09, 2018 01:34 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByParvez Sultan, New Delhi

Now, Humayun’s Tomb dome to be lit up all year long

The monument’s restorer has installed around 800 energy efficient lamps at 16th-century mausoleum of the Mughal king.

The illuminated grand white marble dome of Humayun’s Tomb seen in New Delhi on Tuesday.(Amal KS /HT Photo)

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Updated on Sep 05, 2018 03:20 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Special light scheme to enhance structural details of Qutub Minar

The new illumination, similar to the ones installed at Red Fort, will spruce up the Qutub Minar complex enabling visitors a detailed view of its opulent architecture, calligraphic verses, corbels, and intricate carving even at night.

In 2014, the Qutub Minar was illuminated in blue as a part of Blue Monument Delhi campaign. Currently, the monument remains open for night viewing till 10pm.(Subrata Biswas/HT Archives)

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Updated on Sep 04, 2018 09:44 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

‘Embarrassed’ Delhi BJP to handpick TV debate panellists

The BJP took the decision after the leadership observed that party members failed to counter those from the opposition as well as fellow panelists in an effective manner.

An in-house panel will also provide support material to leaders participating in debates to put forth the BJP’s stand.(AFP FILE PHOTO)

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Published on Sep 02, 2018 01:23 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Ban on motorised vehicles in Chandi Chowk likely in four weeks

The Delhi government plans to turn a 1.5 km stretch in Chandni Chowk into a pedestrian-friendly no-vehicle zone.

The PWD has fixed June 30, 2019 as a deadline to make all arrangements for converting the congested Chandni Chowk into pedestrian-friendly road.(Burhaan Kinu/HT PHOTO)

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Published on Sep 01, 2018 02:55 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Consult before naming projects after Vajpayee: BJP top brass to civic bodies

The party leadership is reportedly upset with the controversy over renaming Ramlila Maidan in Delhi after the former PM, who died on August 16 after prolonged illness.

Manoj Tiwari and other leaders immerse the ashes of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the Yamuna on Tuesday.(Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Aug 29, 2018 02:09 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Ban on motor vehicles in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk; pedestrians, cycle and e-rickshaws to be allowed

The final approval to a proposal to reserve the 1.5km stretch from Red Fort to Fatehpuri mosque for pedestrians and non-motorised vehicles (NMVs) was approved by Delhi’s lieutenant governor (LG) Anil Baijal on Monday.

A view of Chandni Chowk, Delhi. Motorised vehicles soon be banned between 9 am and 9 pm daily in the Walled City locality under a new proposal that has been approved by the L-G.(Virendra Singh Gosain / HT File Photo)

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Updated on Aug 28, 2018 08:54 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Soon, a space for poetry, music in cradle of history

Bagh-e-Bedil: Wakf Board to turn tomb complex of sufi poet into ‘open cultural centre’.

Once spruced up, the site will be available for artistes, especially the youth, for performances.(Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Aug 26, 2018 12:46 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Delhi’s Chandni Chowk Road set to be pedestrian-only from 9am to 9pm

The unified traffic and transportation infrastructure (planning & engineering) centre (UTTIPEC) has cleared a proposal to reserve the 1.5km stretch, starting from Red Fort to Fatehpuri mosque, for pedestrians and non-motorised vehicles.

No vehicular traffic will be permitted on the road for 12 hours — 9am to 9pm. Only non-motorised transport (NMVs) such as cycle rickshaws will be allowed to ply in a dedicated corridor, a senior Delhi government official, who attended the meeting, said.(HT File Photo)

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Updated on Aug 25, 2018 09:15 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

To help travel industry professionals, Delhi govt to start foreign, Indian language courses

The languages will be taught through the arts, culture and language department that will control new language academies to be set up in the national Capital. The cabinet had recently approved creation of 15 such centres for different regional and five International languages.

Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, who is in charge of the department, said the purpose of a language academy is not only to cater to the speakers of that language but also to reach out to a wider audience.(HT/File Photo)

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Published on Aug 24, 2018 03:38 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Darya Khan tomb in Delhi to form part of a housing complex

Known for its ‘unusual’ architecture, the mausoleum with additional open space and a jogging track will be an added attraction to the government settlement being rebuilt by the NBCC.

The edifice comprises the grave of Darya Khan Lohani, an influential official during the Lodi dynasty.(Sourced)

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Updated on Aug 18, 2018 04:09 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

The PM who put Delhi Metro project on the fast track, launched it

The first section of the Delhi Metro between Shahdara and Tis Hazari (now Red Line) was inaugurated by Vajpayee on December 24, 2002

The first section of the Metro between Shahdara and Tis Hazari (now Red Line) was inaugurated by Vajpayee on December 24, 2002.(HT File Photo)

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Updated on Aug 18, 2018 03:27 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Vajpayee came to Delhi to edit a paper, ended up leading the nation

Atal Bihari Vajpayee came to Delhi four years after the Independence to edit a newspaper and ended up leading the nation from here, recalled veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra

Vajpayee during the Janata Party National executive meeting.(HT File Photo)

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Published on Aug 18, 2018 03:13 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Jama Masjid area awaits facelift as Delhi officials sit on plans

Architech Pradeep Sachdeva’s plan proposes the restoration of the foreground into a pedestrian plaza with gardens all the way from Shahi Darwaza to Shahi Darwaza .

A view of Old Delhi and Chandni Chowk from Jama Masjid.(Ajay Aggarwal/ HT Photo)

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Updated on Aug 12, 2018 06:50 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Why Yamuna’s waters have stopped entering Delhi after 1978 flood fury

Prior to the construction of the right marginal and left marginal embankments, the river used to inundate the trans-Yamuna areas and other parts nearly every year.

A view of Yamuna River near the old Yamuna bridge which was reopened for vehicular movement after the water level started receding in New Delhi, India, on Friday, August 03, 2018.(Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Aug 04, 2018 01:22 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Delhi Wakf Board finally set to get more staff

At present, the board has 40 employees against sanctioned strength of 64. Most of them are engaged in administrative job and there is no expert such as conservationist, archaeologist, structural safety professional, and enforcement staff to take care of ancient buildings.

File photo of the Fatehpuri mosque in Delhi. The imam of the mosque, Mufti Mukarram Ahmed, has termed the Delhi Wakf Board’s proposal a good start, but condemned the board for its “poor functioning” and “indecisive” approach.(Sushil Kumar/ HT File)

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Updated on Aug 01, 2018 03:11 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByParvez Sultan, New Delhi

Hidden ammunition storage room discovered in Red Fort

The chamber in Red fort may have been originally used to store ammunition although when it was discovered it, the crypt was full of mud and no explosives or firearms were found.

During the cleaning of rampart at Lahore Darwaza of Delhi’s Red Fort, a spot from where the Prime Minister addresses the nation every Independence Day, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has stumbled upon a hidden underground chamber.(HT Photo)

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Updated on Jul 21, 2018 05:36 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Delhi’s Mughal-era forest lodge restoration put on fast track

According to the initial estimate, at least 69 families live in and around the Mughal-era royal forest house. A recent spate in construction activity damaged its original architecture.

Aam Khas in outer Delhi’s Jaunti village, once a hunting lodge built during Mughal emperor Shahjahan’s time, lies in dilapidated condition.(Anushree Fadnavis/ HT File)

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Updated on Jul 11, 2018 12:57 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit blames AAP for conflict with L-G

The three-time Delhi CM says the power tussle with the Centre made things look bad the Delhi government weak.

Sheila Dikshit was the chief minister of Delhi for three terms between 1998 and 2013.(HT File)

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Updated on Jul 05, 2018 02:04 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Arun Singh to head Delhi BJP preparations for 2019 Lok Sabha polls

A senior party leader privy to the development said Singh will be monitoring all of the party’s election preparations and campaign in the seven parliamentary seats in the national Capital.

Supporters wave a flag of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a rally.(Reuters File)

cities

Updated on Jul 04, 2018 02:59 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan, New Delhi

DDA to offer 7,000 ‘rejected’ flats to public utility firms, govt departments

Earlier, the DDA had written to paramilitary forces to use about 7, 000 flats after allottees in its two previous schemes abandoned these citing small size and alleged lack of basic amenities.

A large majority of returned DDA flats are one-bedroom Lower Income Group (LIG) category units constructed in Rohini, Narela and Siraspur.(HT File Photo)

cities

Updated on Jun 10, 2018 08:37 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Delhi’s Purana Quila lake set to get a makeover, renovation underway

The lake forms part of the moat once surrounding the Purana Quila, which would get water from Yamuna. Until the moat was redeveloped as boating destination in 1971-72, it was filled with garbage and its neighbourhood was encroached upon.

The National Building Construction Corporation will redevelop the 23-acre area of the 16th century citadel.(Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

cities

Updated on Jun 03, 2018 09:10 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

Mughal-era Arab ki Sarai gateway restored to its old glory in Delhi

According to Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) listing of ancient structures in Delhi, Arab Sarai was built in 1560 by Hamida Banu Begum, who was chief consort of Mughal emperor Humayan, to accommodate 300 Arabs she had brought back from Mecca.

The gateway is 13 metres high with five arches. It also has chambers and a domed roof flanked by niches on both sides.(Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)

cities

Updated on May 28, 2018 01:34 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByParvez Sultan

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Parvez Sultan

The entire collection of books at the Central Archaeological Library is set to be digitised for preservation.

Defence Colony is among the earliest colonies set up in south Delhi after Independence. The vast vacant land near Kotla Mubarakpur village was earmarked to lay out settlement to relocate officers from the armed forces. The colony has more than 1,600 plots and 18 DDA flats.

This Mughal-era artwork — geometric and floral motifs in an 80-metre-long vaulted arcade called Chhatta bazaar — was hidden under multiple coats of whitewashing applied casually over the years as part of Red Fort’s maintenance and structural conservation work.

Salt in bat excreta erodes stones and mortars, an official of the Archaeological Survey of India said, adding that instructions have been issued to keep the building well lit, especially at nights, to keep bats at bay.

Some 254 copper coins were discovered buried just 20 centimetres below the ground at Khirki mosque in south Delhi.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has stumbled upon a hoard of medieval period metal coins during the conservation of Khirki Masjid, a 14th century mosque in South Delhi.

A section of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Delhi are planning their own campaigns against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as they feel the state leadership has not confronted the ruling party in an ‘appropriate’ manner.

As part of the lake revival project, NBCC is re-laying walkways, installing decorative lights, creating cabanas, and placing 11 aerating fountains in the pond to attract tourists.

The monument’s restorer has installed around 800 energy efficient lamps at 16th-century mausoleum of the Mughal king.

The new illumination, similar to the ones installed at Red Fort, will spruce up the Qutub Minar complex enabling visitors a detailed view of its opulent architecture, calligraphic verses, corbels, and intricate carving even at night.

The BJP took the decision after the leadership observed that party members failed to counter those from the opposition as well as fellow panelists in an effective manner.

The Delhi government plans to turn a 1.5 km stretch in Chandni Chowk into a pedestrian-friendly no-vehicle zone.

The party leadership is reportedly upset with the controversy over renaming Ramlila Maidan in Delhi after the former PM, who died on August 16 after prolonged illness.

The final approval to a proposal to reserve the 1.5km stretch from Red Fort to Fatehpuri mosque for pedestrians and non-motorised vehicles (NMVs) was approved by Delhi’s lieutenant governor (LG) Anil Baijal on Monday.

Bagh-e-Bedil: Wakf Board to turn tomb complex of sufi poet into ‘open cultural centre’.

The unified traffic and transportation infrastructure (planning & engineering) centre (UTTIPEC) has cleared a proposal to reserve the 1.5km stretch, starting from Red Fort to Fatehpuri mosque, for pedestrians and non-motorised vehicles.

The languages will be taught through the arts, culture and language department that will control new language academies to be set up in the national Capital. The cabinet had recently approved creation of 15 such centres for different regional and five International languages.

Known for its ‘unusual’ architecture, the mausoleum with additional open space and a jogging track will be an added attraction to the government settlement being rebuilt by the NBCC.

The first section of the Delhi Metro between Shahdara and Tis Hazari (now Red Line) was inaugurated by Vajpayee on December 24, 2002

Atal Bihari Vajpayee came to Delhi four years after the Independence to edit a newspaper and ended up leading the nation from here, recalled veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra

Architech Pradeep Sachdeva’s plan proposes the restoration of the foreground into a pedestrian plaza with gardens all the way from Shahi Darwaza to Shahi Darwaza .

Prior to the construction of the right marginal and left marginal embankments, the river used to inundate the trans-Yamuna areas and other parts nearly every year.

At present, the board has 40 employees against sanctioned strength of 64. Most of them are engaged in administrative job and there is no expert such as conservationist, archaeologist, structural safety professional, and enforcement staff to take care of ancient buildings.

The chamber in Red fort may have been originally used to store ammunition although when it was discovered it, the crypt was full of mud and no explosives or firearms were found.

According to the initial estimate, at least 69 families live in and around the Mughal-era royal forest house. A recent spate in construction activity damaged its original architecture.

The three-time Delhi CM says the power tussle with the Centre made things look bad the Delhi government weak.

A senior party leader privy to the development said Singh will be monitoring all of the party’s election preparations and campaign in the seven parliamentary seats in the national Capital.

Earlier, the DDA had written to paramilitary forces to use about 7, 000 flats after allottees in its two previous schemes abandoned these citing small size and alleged lack of basic amenities.

The lake forms part of the moat once surrounding the Purana Quila, which would get water from Yamuna. Until the moat was redeveloped as boating destination in 1971-72, it was filled with garbage and its neighbourhood was encroached upon.

According to Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) listing of ancient structures in Delhi, Arab Sarai was built in 1560 by Hamida Banu Begum, who was chief consort of Mughal emperor Humayan, to accommodate 300 Arabs she had brought back from Mecca.

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