Monuments' body clears AIIMS work

After much deliberation, the National Monuments Authority (NMA) has cleared a proposal of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to expand its campus at Ansari Nagar in south Delhi. Nivedita Khandekar reports.

After much deliberation, the National Monuments Authority (NMA) has cleared a proposal of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to expand its campus at Ansari Nagar in south Delhi.

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Residents from Masjid Moth village had objected to the construction, claiming it was within 100 metres (prohibited area) of the 16th century Lodi-era protected monument, Moth Ki Masjid.

"There is no construction in the prohibited area. While clearing the construction in the regulated area (101-300 metres from the monument), we have put a height restriction of 21 metres," said Pravin Srivastava, member secretary, NMA.

AIIMS is carrying out construction of hostel blocks, students' blocks, etc., to the northwest of the monument.

The NMA, during its last week's meeting, has decided to ask the AIIMS authorities to set apart some fund for development of tourist/visitor facilities around the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) monument. These would include facilities such as toilets, sitting arrangements, pathways and signage.

"If needed, AIIMS can also contribute money for the conservation of the monument," Srivastava said. The NMA has constituted a committee comprising officials from the NMA, ASI and competent authority (for Delhi) to monitor the work.