NMA in limbo due to lack of members

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation in Delhi is not the only public project awaiting clearance from the National Monument Authority (NMA). Agencies from Ahmedabad and Bengaluru are in the queue too.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation in Delhi is not the only public project awaiting clearance from the National Monument Authority (NMA). Agencies from Ahmedabad and Bengaluru are in the queue too.

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More than one-and-a-half-years after the amendment in the heritage law in March 2010, the government’s failure in appointing members in the NMA has delayed several public infrastructure projects and private constructions near protected monuments.

“We have not cleared/rejected a single proposal. In the absence of members, we are unable to hold any meeting for considering the proposals,” said Pravin Shrivastava, NMA member-secretary.

As per the March 2010 amendment vis-à-vis the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (amendment and validation) Act 2010, the NMA needs five full time and five part time members.

The amendment envisages a total ban on any new construction within 100 metres, in all directions, of a heritage structure/monument under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Several restrictions have been put for further 101-300 metres for repairs and renovations. Selja Kumari, union minister for culture, was unavailable for comment.