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Supreme Court Slams Authorities Over Poor Maintenance of Delhi Heritage Monuments
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CNBC TV18•07-10-2026, 18:36
Supreme Court Slams Authorities Over Poor Maintenance of Delhi Heritage Monuments
- •The Supreme Court criticized various government departments, including the MCD and ASI, for failing to properly maintain heritage monuments in Delhi.
- •The apex court noted an absolute lack of cohesion between different government bodies and summoned senior officials to appear before it on October 15.
- •The bench highlighted the poor condition of the 13th-century Lal Mahal and encroachment issues at Lodhi-era tombs in Zamrudpur.
- •Expressing dissatisfaction with the MCD and ASI, the court stated that officers have failed to understand the seriousness of the matter.
Key Questions Answered
The Supreme Court expressed severe dissatisfaction over the failure of departments, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Archaeological Survey of India, to properly maintain heritage monuments and address widespread encroachment.
The Supreme Court directed senior officials including the secretary of the Union Ministry of Culture, the MCD commissioner, the ASI director general, and the DDA vice chairman to appear before it for coordination.
The bench discussed the poor condition and lack of jurisdiction clarity surrounding Lal Mahal, a 13th-century palace in Nizamuddin, as well as extensive encroachment at Lodhi-era tombs in south Delhi's Zamrudpur area.
