Chittorgarh : The world famous Chittorgarh Fort is slowly coming under the grip of encroachment and illegal construction. For the conservation and maintenance of world heritage, any kind of construction work is strictly prohibited here. But despite this, these illegal construction works are not stopping. The world famous Chittorgarh Fort is gradually coming under the grip of encroachment and illegal construction. For the protection and maintenance of the world heritage, any kind of construction is prohibited here, but despite this, these illegal construction works are not stopping. Despite the ban on construction material, they are indiscriminately loading the material into the tractor and taking it to the fort.
Not only this, two big cafes are being built near the ticket office, which are adjacent to the ramparts of the fort. Notices are being sent continuously by ASI. Along with this, the District Collector is also being informed. There was also talk of registering a case in the police station, but even after several months, the case was not registered. Meanwhile, the District Collector expressed his displeasure and said that ASI has its own law and action should be taken under it. The administration is always standing for cooperation.
The fort is facing the brunt of political interference.
Chittaurgarh Fort, which is included in the World Heritage list, has been under illegal occupation and illegal construction work has been going on for many years. Many officials had earlier also tried to stop the construction work, but due to political interference, the officials were also transferred overnight. On September 2, 2020, a meeting was held with officials of the Archeology Department under the chairmanship of the then District Collector. In this meeting it was found that 186 encroachments and illegal constructions were being done on the fort in the year 2020. To stop this, the then Additional District Collector had completely banned bringing construction material to the fort on 9 September 2020. But the encroacher did not stop and construction material continued to arrive at the fort. Along with this, illegal construction work continued continuously. Two cafes are also being built. Surprisingly, this cafe is against the rules of the Archeology Department and is adjacent to the ramparts of the fort. It is being told that BJP and Congress leaders are involved in the construction of both the cafes, due to which all the work is being done here without any hindrance.
Notice given, case not registered
Chittorgarh ASI and Jodhpur Superintendent of Archeology Office are also continuously giving notices from time to time to the owners of both the cafes, Vijay Singh, son of Pratap Singh and Dhruv, son of Jaiprakash Bhatnagar. Besides, letters were also issued to the District Collector in which he was informed about this. Notices were also given to the Kotwali police station officer to register an FIR against them but the case has not been registered yet.
Where there is no permission to hammer nails, cafes have been built there.
It was learned that the work of Dhruv Bhatnagar’s cafe started from 3 September 2024 and the work of Vijay Singh’s cafe started from 26 June 2022. A swimming pool is also being built in a café being built, which is completely against the rules of the Archeology Department. The department says that this entire fort comes under the Archaeological Department of India. Permission is required even to hammer a nail here, but both the parties did not consider it necessary to take permission here.
In the notice given, ASI wrote…
In the notice given, ASI wrote that Durga is a world heritage protected monument by UNESCO. The entire Chittorgarh Fort has been declared a protected monument of national importance by the Government of India. The entire area inside the ramparts of this fort is the protected area of the said monument. According to Section 19 (1) of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958, no person shall carry out any construction work within the protected area without the permission of the Central Government. An unauthorized cafe is being built near the ramparts on the south side of Rampol Gate. They are being given notice from time to time. The district administration has also been given information from time to time. A request has also been made to stop the work but due to lack of strict action, this unauthorized construction work is increasing at a rapid pace. Due to this, the historical and cultural heritage will be in danger and its beauty will also be affected.
When Dhruv Bhatnagar was talked to about this, he said that he had not received any notice. There is also his house in front of the cafe which is ancestral. In the year 2019, some material was ordered for the renovation of that house. This cafe is being built from that material. Just had the dirt removed from my property and new lights installed. Till the permission is not received, it will be operated in the open garden only. This statement proved to be completely false, when tractors filled with gravel were continuously coming from below for the construction work of this cafe and many other types of work were also done. Have gone. Work to repair old walls has also been done without permission. Even after seeing the tractor loaded with gravel coming, the traffic police or Kotwali police present at the spot did not try to stop them.
Administration will always cooperate
Meanwhile, District Collector Alok Ranjan expressed his displeasure and said that this is completely the responsibility of ASI. The administration cannot completely interfere in these matters. We had sent our team but ASI does so only by giving complaint or notice. His follow up should also be taken. ASI has its own law, under which this action can be taken. But he continues to be careless. If any kind of assistance is required from the administration, we are fully ready to assist.
