The Hindu : Karnataka News : Proposal to shift weekly fair unnerves ASI

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Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Proposal to shift weekly fair unnerves ASI

R. Krishna Kumar

The town municipality is thinking of moving the market to the grounds near the Srirangapatna Fort

The ASI fears that the move will result in more concrete structures coming up
It has planned to approach the Government seeking a directive to drop the proposal

SRIRANGAPATNA: The local town municipality’s proposed move to shift the weekly fair to the open grounds adjoining the Jamia Masjid and the ramparts of the Srirangapatna Fort has rattled the nerves of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The vacant ground adjacent the two structures measures about 3 acres and it was proposed by the local authorities to shift the weekly market to the new location as the existing site was thought to be inadequate to cope with the rush.

Srirangapatna’s weekly market or fair is held on Saturdays and draws a large crowd with transaction mostly in traditional items ranging from horticulture and agricultural produce to cereals, cattle and the like that is traded in bulk.

The authorities thought it fit to relocate the market to a new site that is more spacious and hence, have identified this plot of land which is hardly a few metres from the Fort and the Jamia Masjid.

Though still in proposal stage, the ASI is not amused as shifting the market will only result in new concrete structures coming up near the monuments which are hemmed in by residential areas and market place none of which can be relocated.

Available space

The only vacant place was in the eastern side which is now likely to be earmarked for the weekly market, according to a member of the Heritage Sub Committee.

He said the ASI was clearly against the proposed move and would approach the Government seeking directives that the proposal be dropped at the preliminary stage itself.

Meanwhile, the new area has been cleaned and garbage removed.

ASI norms

Sources said the proposed relocation of the market will also amount to flouting the ASI norms that prohibit any development within 100 metres of a national monument and impose restrictions on any development for an additional 200 metres which is called prohibited area.

The ASI itself has plans to augment the Fort and has completed fencing of the ramparts while there is a proposal to have a pathway to Thamos Inma’s Dungeon which is close by. This dungeon existed even during the times of Tipu Sultan but was first noticed by a French engineer after whom the dungeon is now named.

The proposed area for the market is also one of the few places adjoining the Fort devoid of any human habitation and hence the ASI is keen to protect it for posterity. There are plans afoot to restore portions of the Fort which is in ruins.

Besides fencing off areas where there are no encroachments, it is proposed to create walkways along the ramparts of the Fort so that tourists could explore and discover the structure while the Horticulture Department will take up landscaping there.

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