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

Father Of Woman Who Accused BJP MLA Of Rape Dies In Unnao, Probe Ordered

Father Of Woman Who Accused BJP MLA Of Rape Dies In Unnao, Probe Ordered
The father of an 18-year-old woman who claimed she was raped by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar and his brothers died in custody here on Monday, prompting the victim to charge that he was killed inside jail at the behest of the lawmaker.

Father Of Woman Who Accused BJP MLA Of Rape Dies In Unnao, Probe Ordered

27 School Children Killed As School Bus Falls Into Gorge In Kangra

27 School Children Killed As School Bus Falls Into Gorge In Kangra
Thirty people, including 27 students, were killed on Monday when a private school bus fell into a gorge in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, police said.

27 School Children Killed As School Bus Falls Into Gorge In Kangra

Indian Air Force Seeks 110 Fighter Jets In World’s Biggest Defence Deal

Indian Air Force Seeks 110 Fighter Jets In World’s Biggest Defence Deal
Eleven years after India went scouting for a foreign fighter jet, it on Friday invited global military aviation companies to make fighter jets in India.

Indian Air Force Seeks 110 Fighter Jets In World’s Biggest Defence Deal

Man Sues Cops, Transit Authority After Being Pinned To Pavement, Alleges Racial Profiling

Man Sues Cops, Transit Authority After Being Pinned To Pavement, Alleges Racial Profiling
The man and his mother are seeking more than $3 million in damages from the Toronto Police Services Board, the Toronto Transit Commission, two unidentified police officers and three unidentified TTC fare inspectors.  

Man Sues Cops, Transit Authority After Being Pinned To Pavement, Alleges Racial Profiling

I Am A Hindu Vaishnav, Not Jain: Amit Shah

I Am A Hindu Vaishnav, Not Jain: Amit Shah
When asked about the Karnataka chief minister's comment last month that Amit Shah is a Jain, the BJP chief said, "I am not a Jain, but a Hindu Vaishnav."

I Am A Hindu Vaishnav, Not Jain: Amit Shah

Boy, 7, Killed For Resisting Sex Assault In Delhi. Body Found In Drain

Boy, 7, Killed For Resisting Sex Assault In Delhi. Body Found In Drain
A senior police officer said a complaint that the boy had gone missing was received at Okhla Phase III police outpost on April 2, following which a case was registered.

Boy, 7, Killed For Resisting Sex Assault In Delhi. Body Found In Drain