Metal kiosk at Jantar Mantar becomes an eyesore

Jaipur: In a violation of management plan submitted to Unesco and an eyesore at the World Heritage monument (WHM), a metal kiosk is being fabricated at the

Jantar Mantar

. The kiosk that is a few inches high on stilts initially drilled holes in the wall for support and the tin shed for the kiosk is supposedly going to be resting on the boundary wall of the monument, a violation of the World Heritage Monument norms.

“The work for the 10X12 metal kiosk for beverages started on July 20, 2017. We resisted the development and voiced our objections to the department of archeology and museums. But instead of taking into consideration our concerns, the department staff at the monument got hostile towards the guides. Gopal Sharma, a senior clerk even threatened us with dire consequences,” said Brij Mohan Khatri, president World Heritage monument, Jaipur Jantar Mantar and Amber Place, approved guide union.

At the moment drinking water coolers are installed at three different places at the monument. The existing souvenir and book stall also caters to soft drinks, tea and coffee. The place where the kiosk is, was used by tourists to sit under the tree shade and it is now obstructing tourist’s way to the toilets.

“Besides being an eyesore, building a new structure at the exit gate and giving it on five-year lease, is almost like building a permanent one. At first they drilled holes in the wall to support the structure but later when we objected they made some changes. This is a violation and not permissible at a monument inscribed on the World Heritage list,” said Khatri.

However, when spoken to, Shashi Prabha Swami, superintendent Jantar Mantar said, “This is a tiny temporary structure on one side and in no way changing the look and feel of the monument. This was done only after the heritage committee approved it.”

But an expert from International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) felt otherwise. “The management plan chartered out by Amber Development & Management Authority (AD&MA) did not charter this out while applying for the WHM nomination. Ideally AD&MA should have just done up the interiors of the adjacent existing shop. I believe there were number of issues with the metal structure and even while it is standalone and independent, it should be lesser in height and not resting on the boundary wall. But all said it is an eyesore and should be best avoided by the department of archaeology & museums.”