HC directs Centre, UP govt to reply on dilapidated heritage sites in state

Lucknow ( Raghwendra Pratap Singh) :

The order was passed on May 25 by a bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Kshitij Shailendra while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Akash Vashishtha, a lawyer and heritage conservation advocate.

In the PIL, the petitioner alleged that several priceless heritage sites and historical structures located in different districts of UP were falling into ruin and turning dilapidated due to the failure of the authorities to adequately protect and preserve them.

Priceless heritage structures in cities such as Jhansi, Vrindavan, Agra, Lucknow and Hastinapur are disappearing and turning into shambles,” said the PIL, seeking protection of 5,416 heritage sites in the state.

Other respondents of this PIL include the Union Ministry of Culture, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), National Monuments Authority (NMA), Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Uttar Pradesh government and the UP State Archaeology Department.