With broken stones and traditional mix, Archaeological Survey of India has begun a restoration drive

Dilapidated signature walls of random rubble masonry, built by ancient rulers as fortification walls, will stand unbroken across the Capital by next year.

In an initiative to restore the seven cities of Delhi as part of the conservation project for the Commonwealth Games, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun restoring and conserving these walls around the seven city citadels.

The focus will be on restoring the conspicuous portions of walls that run along the Games venues. Once the stretches are restored, the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) will take up a project to illuminate them.

“We have begun work on the first four cities — Qila Rai Pithora, Siri, Tughlaqabad and Adilabad — and now the restoration is being extended to Feroz Shah Kotla, Dinpanah (Purana Qila) and Shahjahanabad,” said KK Muhammed, superintending archaeologist, Delhi Circle, ASI.

It is not possible to erect the walls completely in their original topographical limits as the geography of the city has changed, he said. But the portions that can be restored are being worked on.

“There are remnants of such walls around Feroz Shah Kotla, but they are in ruins,” Muhammed said. As for Dinpanah, the walls running along Khairul Manzil and Sher Shah Gate are being restored. Walls connecting the Delhi Gate, Ajmeri Gate and Lahore Gate around Shahjahanabad will be restored and connected.

The ASI, officials said, is working on a shoe-string budget for the project. Altogether, Rs 25 crore has been allocated to it for all the projects that have to be taken up for the Games.

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