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Heritage conservation goes the outsourcing way

Mandira Nayar

ASI, Wakf Board rope in outside experts for upkeep of Capital's monuments

Winds of change: Safdarjung Tomb in the Capital is in for a spruce-up with the help of outside experts. File Photo

NEW DELHI: It will be a year that will usher in a big change for heritage in the Capital. With the decks being cleared to draw up conservation plans for the Red Fort, Safdarjung Tomb as well as Jama Masjid, the three major landmark in the city will now gear up for a face-lift but from `non-government' hands.

Waiting for clearance from the finance department of the Ministry of Culture, the tender for Red Fort will mark the beginning of this shift of involving experts from outside. While the decision to hire experts to draw up the conservation plan for Red Fort might not have been completely rested with ASI as it had been directed by the Supreme Court to hand over conservation of the Fort to outside experts following a public interest litigation, but it seems to be following the precedent established by the case for other monuments.

"The budget of Archaeological Survey India (ASI) has gone up tremendously in the past few years. But with ASI planning to take up more monuments under its protective umbrella, manpower will seriously be a problem. The ASI is now looking at outsourcing some of its work. However, there is no way that we will wash our hands off these monuments," said ASI director-general C. Babu Rajeev.

Starting this process in earnest, ASI has also advertised for consultants to work on Safdarjung Tomb which is the `home' of the Delhi circle. The symbolism of the gesture might have escaped many, but for some ASI officials it is still an issue they have not fully adjusted to.

Seen as an attempt to bring in outsiders in their territory, some circles are not happy with the decision to outsource. However, conservationists believe that involving private consultants will ensure that monument will benefit from a whole range of experts that ASI does not have on its rolls as the field has become more specialised.

While Jama Masjid is not a protected monument, but ASI had earlier conducted some repairs on the monument. However, the Delhi Wakf Board, legal caretakers of the building, has now roped in a conservation architect to look at the problems of the building and draw up a comprehensive plan.

"It is for the first time in history that the Wakf Board has commissioned an outside expert to look at the whole building completely and make a detailed plan. ASI had been involved in doing work on the building whenever it was needed. But now it is being done a professional and comprehensive way," an official of the Wakf Board.

Apart from the major monuments, ASI is also looking to bring in experts in two colonial buildings in Red Fort. "The tendering process of Red Fort is already over. The tender has not been officially awarded as yet, but we have finalised the conservation team that will draw up the plan. But that is only for the Mughal buildings. However, there are two buildings made in 1911 which we will advertise for," said Mr. Rajeev.

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