The Hindu : New Delhi News : Maiden meeting of Red Fort panel

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 01, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Maiden meeting of Red Fort panel

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, AUG. 31. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) took its first step towards "saving" the Red Fort with the expert committee recently constituted by the Supreme Court meeting for the first time here today. While it was just an introductory meeting, it did set the ball rolling believe officials and members.

"This meeting was slightly delayed, but the director general joined the ASI only recently. But we were keen to make up for lost time and hope that after this meeting the process will become faster. The whole issue was discussed and it was decided on how to proceed further. The committee will meet again in three weeks,'' a source revealed. Bringing together experts from different fields in accordance with the Supreme Court order, the committee has to ensure that a comprehensive conservation management plan is drawn up that respects internationally accepted principles. It can also define the parameters and framework within which such a conservation management plan for the Red Fort is to be formulated. The committee also has to lay down the criteria for selection of the professional teams required at each stage of conservation and the specific skills required for each task.

And to familiarise the members with the site, a visit to the Red Fort will be conducted before September 20. "The ASI has been asked to make a presentation on the Red Fort so as to apprise the members on the condition of the site. Officials have to supply all the documents that the ASI has on the Red Fort to the members, so that we can understand the site. The members have to be aware of all the recent conservation work that the ASI has undertaken on the site since 2000 and what international principles have been followed,'' a member stated.

Besides discussing the basic details about what should go into the conservation plan of the Red Fort, the members also debated on setting up a time frame in which the project should be completed.

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