Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
India

Delhi's Qutub Minar Under Renovation As Bird Excreta Causes Damage

IANS, 03 Jul, 2018 10:04 PM
  • Delhi's Qutub Minar Under Renovation As Bird Excreta Causes Damage
Bat poop and bird droppings are spelling nightmare for the centuries-old Qutub Minar in Delhi, following which the ASI has started work on replacing its old wooden doors and windows, a senior official said today.
The work will be completed by this month end.
 
 
The 72.5 m-high minaret, country's tallest, is getting refurbished after 50 years, as the Sal wood-made doors and window panels have become old, and cracks in them were allowing birds and bats to enter the inner sides of this towering monument, part of UNESCO World Heritage Qutub Complex.
 
 
 "The groundwork began over a month ago and the replacement work is underway. The projected cost for the entire work is Rs. 8 lakh and we expect to finish it by July end," Superintending Archaeologist, ASI (Delhi Circle), N K Pathak, told.
 
 
The iconic stone-made tower, endowed with rich inscriptions has four round ornate balconies at different levels, with an opening at each level.
 
 
It has a diameter of 14.32 m at the base and 2.75 m at the top. It is faced with red and buff sandstones on three storeys and marble on the rest, according to a publication by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
 
 
 "These old wooden doors had developed cracks allowing bats and birds, especially pigeons to wander in. The droppings from these winged creatures became quite an issue, both in terms of cleaning and the damage it can cause to the stones. So, it was decided to replace them," Mr Pathak said.
 
 
He said, the doors, window and ventilators number about 37, with one main door at the base, followed by four at each level.
 
 
"The new door and window panels have Sal wood frames and metal net (meshwork) in the middle to allows circulation of air," he added.
 
 
Though entry to inside of the minaret is restricted, the bird excreta reacting with the stones could have had led to serious damage, Pathak said.
 
 
Founder of the Delhi Sultanate Qutab-ud-din-Aibak started the construction of the Qutub Minar's first storey around 1192. In 1220, Aibak's successor and son-in-law Iltutmish completed the rest of the storeys. 
 
 
"A lightning strike had destroyed the top storey a few centuries ago. Firoz Shah Tughlaq replaced the damaged storey, and added one more level in it," Mr Pathak said.
 
 
Qutub Minar is one of the most-visited and most-photographed monuments in India and has been featured in several films and documentaries.

MORE India ARTICLES

64-Year-Old Woman Returns To Pak After Serving 10 Year In Amritsar Jail

Nasreen Akhtar was arrested on a drug puddling charge and was awarded a 10 year prison sentence by a local court.

64-Year-Old Woman Returns To Pak After Serving 10 Year In Amritsar Jail

Sukhpal Singh Khaira Faces Wrath of AAP Top Brass Over Punjab Referendum 2020 Comment

Sukhpal Singh Khaira Faces Wrath of AAP Top Brass Over Punjab Referendum 2020 Comment
Beleagured Khaira, currently in Delhi to meet senior AAP leaders, later approached Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the person in-charge of the Punjab unit's affairs. Party leaders who wanted to remain unnamed said Sisodia wanted him to come clean.

Sukhpal Singh Khaira Faces Wrath of AAP Top Brass Over Punjab Referendum 2020 Comment

Narendra Modi Had Indeed Married Me, He Is Ram For Me: Jashodaben

Narendra Modi Had Indeed Married Me, He Is Ram For Me: Jashodaben
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's estranged wife Jashodaben on Wednesday expressed her shock over Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel's statement in a leading Gujarati daily that Modi was unmarried.

Narendra Modi Had Indeed Married Me, He Is Ram For Me: Jashodaben

Revenue Officials Bust Gold Smuggling Racket At Delhi Airport

Revenue Officials Bust Gold Smuggling Racket At Delhi Airport
Eight people, including the mastermind father-son duo, have been arrested in the case and 6.5 kgs gold, with an estimated market value of Rs. 2.1 crore, has been seized recently, a statement issued today by the DRI said.

Revenue Officials Bust Gold Smuggling Racket At Delhi Airport

Gujarat Man Arrested For Uploading Video Of Communal Clash On YouTube

Gujarat Man Arrested For Uploading Video Of Communal Clash On YouTube
According to Vasava, Kadam had been earlier charged in 2016 in a case related to the burning of an effigy of Islamicpreacher Zakir Naik.

Gujarat Man Arrested For Uploading Video Of Communal Clash On YouTube

Elderly Woman Beaten Up And Thrown Out By Daughter, Son-In-Law In Gujarat

An elderly woman was allegedly thrashed and dragged out of her house by her daughter and son- in-law in Gujarat's Chhotaudepur district, police said yesterday.

Elderly Woman Beaten Up And Thrown Out By Daughter, Son-In-Law In Gujarat