Demolished site to be integrated with Humayun’s Tomb

The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) on Tuesday carried out a large-scale demolition at Batashewala complex adjacent to the Humayun’s Tomb after the agency was handed over the plot following a court case.

The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) on Tuesday carried out a large-scale demolition at Batashewala complex adjacent to the Humayun’s Tomb after the agency was handed over the plot following a court case.

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The 10-acre plot thus cleared would now be developed as a char bagh (Mughal style square lawns with water channels in between) and integrated into the World Heritage Site.

“We would rope in the Aga Khan Trust for Culture for the char bagh and conservation of the two heritage monuments inside it,” said ASI Delhi circle chief KK Muhammed.

For over three decades, the Delhi State Bharat Scout & Guides was occupying the Batashewala complex, falling within 100 metres of the Humayun’s Tomb. It had also carried out lot of unauthorised construction, using it for commercial purposes. It was later sealed by the Supreme Court’s monitoring committee. The scout organisation had challenged the allotment of the land to the ASI but the Delhi high court refused it last week.

During the operation, the ASI demolished a swimming pool and several other structures. HTC