Ignoring objections of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam and Public Works Department (PWD) are going ahead with the beautification plans for Parivartan Chowk.

This is one of the oldest projects taken up by Chief Minister Mayawati in the city. Under it, a 225 meter long and 1.65 meter high boundary wall of Mirjapuri chunar will be erected to keep it in sync with the Kanshiram Memorial, Ambedkar memorial and the Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan.

The Nigam is the implementing agency and PWD is the nodal agency.

The ASI has objected to the construction as the site is close to mausoleums of Nawab Mushir Zadi and Nawab Saadat Ali Khan near Begum Hazrat Mahal Park — a prohibited zone as per the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act.

“When construction began in October, the ASI had served a notice to the principal secretary, PWD, and the building agency, reminding them that it was a prohibited zone. A copy was forwarded to the chief secretary too,” said Superintending Archaeologist I D Dwivedi. The agency stopped work immediately, but later, it applied for a No Objection Certificate. The ASI had rejected the application, Dwivedi added.

“But construction was resumed two days ago,” said Assistant Superintending Archaeologist Indu Prakash. A government engineer said the work had been resumed on the government's instruction “as it is a priority project”.

Admitting as indeed started, PWD Engineer-in-Chief Tribhuvan Ram said: “The project was approved last year but it could not take off due to certain reasons. I have no knowledge of any ASI objection.”

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