Metro can?t go near Qutub, rules ASI

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL Survey of India has declined the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation permission to take its elevated metro line near the Mehrauli Archaeological Park. The ASI reasons that the line could make the Unesco even withdraw world heritage status to the Qutub complex.

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL Survey of India has declined the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation permission to take its elevated metro line near the Mehrauli Archaeological Park. The ASI reasons that the line could make the Unesco even withdraw world heritage status to the Qutub complex.

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Director General of the ASI, C Babu Rajeev is learnt to have told DMRC officials that the UNESCO needs to be told about the metro corridor proposals under the convention for protection of world cultural and natural heritage. And there were many cases, where the Unesco had withdrawn heritage status to the monuments. He cited Hampi's instance, which the Unesco put on the endangered heritage list in 1999 after two suspension bridges came up near it.

The DG said sanction to the proposed metro corridor was not possible, since it would be within the prohibited 100-metre range of many ASI protected monuments.

The ASI and Metro officials have decided to inspect the site next week, and send their reports to the Empowered Group of Ministers. “The EGoM will take the final decision on the issue,” Metro spokesperson Anuj Dayal said.

As an alternative, Delhi Metro's MD E Sreedharan agreed to construct an underground stretch from IIT to Gurgaon. “The underground stretch will entail additional expenditure of Rs 450 crore,” Dayal said.

The Delhi Urban Arts Commission has suggested alternatives, including taking the line via Nehru Place and Saket — heavily populated areas in urgenmt need of an efficient mass rapid transit system.