With the “daunting task” of protecting monuments of national importance in the Capital, the ASI revealed that Delhi’s rapid urbanisation comes at the heavy price of losing out on these monuments.

Most of these monuments were notified between 1908 to 1935 except Joga Bai Mound, which was notified in 1965, said Sinha, adding they are under consideration for “de-protection” by the Director General, ASI.

“Rapid urbanisation and commercialisation of Delhi, development of infrastructure at a fast pace and attaining the status of Metropolitan appears to be the major causes for the loss of these monuments,” states the affidavit in reply to a PIL filed almost six years ago alleging that the Capital was losing its heritage to smugglers and encroachments.

Though “lack of co-ordination” between civic agencies, severe crunch in manpower and financial resources of the ASI had previously crippled timely preservation of the monuments, the affidavit paints a positive picture of the present times.

“ASI has already initiated action on removal of encroachments from the centrally-protected monuments in Delhi. ASI is vigilant on the safety and security of national heritage,” the documents stated.

With the present security system comprising CISF and private personnel guarding some monuments, ASI’s watch-and-ward staffers stand guard at other heritage sites, it added.