Historic fort trench damaged
Heavy equipment at the site; trees were cut down near the trench
A landowner from Chakan has allegedly tried to bury the historic trench of Sangram Durg to construct a building.
The excavation made by him also threatens the fortification walls on the northern side of 14th century fort. He reportedly damaged the buruj (fort tower) as well.
The incident came to light on Saturday after residents informed theChakan Municipal Council (CMC) and state department of archaeology about the illegal activity.
The fort was recently declared as a state protected monument and restoration work had begun following the discovery of a 200-year-old map of the fort drawn by British captain Blacker.
This comes at a time when the state department of tourism's decision to identify forts acrossMaharashtra for heritage hoteliers and hospitality chains on a lease has not gone down well with citizens and history buffs. They have alleged that this is an attempt to destroy age-old memorials, witness of great history.
During the investigation, it has revealed that the landowner had a plan to construct a building before the approval of a proposed development plan of CMC. As per the proposed plan, the authorities are willing to declare 1.5 km of the area from the fort as a no-development zone. The authorities have invited suggestions and objections over the issue.
During the panchnama, it has also revealed that Mujawar hacked over 10 trees near the buruj and levelled land near ancient trench (ditch) with the help of heavy earthmovers and machines. It has revealed that no plan was sanctioned from the building permission department of CMC. The mandatory permission from the state department of archaeology was also missing. The authorities further issued a notice under the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960.
Talking to Pune Mirror, Kiran Zinjurke, president of KilledarFirangoji Narsala Smarak Pratisthan, who first informed to the authorities about encroachment on fort, said, "Since the fort is a protected monument, there is a ban on development activity. But in this case, the excavation was near the fortification walls. The authorities have already started the procedure to reserve the nearby space for parking purpose. But the miscreant tried to take advantage of the delay."
"As soon as we realised the violation and attempt to damage the fort, we informed CMC and archaeology department. Now we are waiting for the action," he said.
"The said survey number 708 and 709 must be acquired to avoid repetition of this incident," Zinjurke added.
When asked, CMC chief executive officer Nilam Patil said, "We have stopped the illegal construction work as it was going without any permission of authorities. Since the construction was near the fortified wall of the ancient fort, they had to take permission from archaeology department. We have issued notices to the owners and asked for clarification with the documentary evidence."
The excavation made by him also threatens the fortification walls on the northern side of 14th century fort. He reportedly damaged the buruj (fort tower) as well.
The incident came to light on Saturday after residents informed the
Both authorities immediately forced the landowner to stop the work. The land owner is identified as L M Mujawar. Now, they are jointly conducing the panchnama of the site.
The fort was recently declared as a state protected monument and restoration work had begun following the discovery of a 200-year-old map of the fort drawn by British captain Blacker.
This comes at a time when the state department of tourism's decision to identify forts across
During the investigation, it has revealed that the landowner had a plan to construct a building before the approval of a proposed development plan of CMC. As per the proposed plan, the authorities are willing to declare 1.5 km of the area from the fort as a no-development zone. The authorities have invited suggestions and objections over the issue.
During the panchnama, it has also revealed that Mujawar hacked over 10 trees near the buruj and levelled land near ancient trench (ditch) with the help of heavy earthmovers and machines. It has revealed that no plan was sanctioned from the building permission department of CMC. The mandatory permission from the state department of archaeology was also missing. The authorities further issued a notice under the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960.
Talking to Pune Mirror, Kiran Zinjurke, president of Killedar
"As soon as we realised the violation and attempt to damage the fort, we informed CMC and archaeology department. Now we are waiting for the action," he said.
"The said survey number 708 and 709 must be acquired to avoid repetition of this incident," Zinjurke added.
When asked, CMC chief executive officer Nilam Patil said, "We have stopped the illegal construction work as it was going without any permission of authorities. Since the construction was near the fortified wall of the ancient fort, they had to take permission from archaeology department. We have issued notices to the owners and asked for clarification with the documentary evidence."
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