HC directs Centre, UP govt to reply on dilapidated heritage sites in state

Prayagraj: Taking note of the deteriorating condition of several archaeological heritage sites and structures across Uttar Pradesh, the Allahabad high court has directed the Centre, state govt and other respondents to file their counter affidavits within six weeks.The order was passed on May 25 by a bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Kshitij Shailendra while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Akash Vashishtha, a lawyer and heritage conservation advocate.In the PIL, the petitioner alleged that several priceless heritage sites and historical structures located in different districts of UP were falling into ruin and turning dilapidated due to the failure of the authorities to adequately protect and preserve them.“Priceless heritage structures in cities such as Jhansi, Vrindavan, Agra, Lucknow and Hastinapur are disappearing and turning into shambles,” said the PIL, seeking protection of 5,416 heritage sites in the state. Other respondents of this PIL include the Union Ministry of Culture, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), National Monuments Authority (NMA), Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Uttar Pradesh government and the UP State Archaeology Department. On March 23, the HC had issued notices to the departments concerned in the state and the central ministries to respond within eight weeks.Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate Sanjay Upadhyay, along with counsels Pawan Kumar Tiwari, Eisha Krishn and Mansi Bachani, submitted that the state should immediately begin the process of preparing an inventory of these heritage sites recorded in the Archaeology Department’s records but presently lying unprotected.