Hans News Service New Delhi

TheMunicipal Corporation of Delhi will begin a phased restoration and preservation exercise for eight Grade-I heritage structures under its jurisdiction, with conservation work expected to begin next month, officials said on Tuesday. The Grade-I category denotes monuments classified as being of the highest historical importance. The initiative follows directions from the Supreme Court to restore heritage monuments under the civic body’s ownership and will be carried out in consultation with academic institutions and conservation experts, they said.

“The first phase will cover eight heritage structures, including four tombs in Zamrudpur village in south Delhi, the Mahavir Library in Greater Kailash-I, a gumti (small tomb) in Humayunpur village, a tomb in the LSR village area and Maharaja Agrasen Park on Boulevard Road,” an MCD official told PTI.

He added that the other identified sites include the historic Town Hall building in Chandni Chowk and Company Bagh. However, officials said these two properties are presently being looked after by the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation.

Officials said a meeting was held on Monday between Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials and experts from the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Jamia Millia Islamia, Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (Architecture School) and the Aga Khan Foundation to discuss the restoration roadmap. “The MCD does not have an in-house conservation team. Since Grade-I monuments require specialised treatment and cannot be altered, we are taking support from institutions and conservation experts to ensure the structures are restored to their original shape,” an official said. The Aga Khan Foundation has already submitted a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for participation in the project, he added.