| Bahu Fort wall became victim of Aquarium | | Deptt of Fisheries, ASI trade charges | | Earl y Times Report
Jammu, Sept 13: The Aquarium made by Fisheries department is apparently the main reason behind the collapse of Bahu Fort wall. There is a steep slope made by the department to construct a park in the Aquarium, which led to erosion in the foundation of the Bahu Fort.
The Ancient Bahu fort, constructed in 30 Kanals of area is under threat after collapse of 110 feet wall from the right side, as the remaining wall from the same side has got major cracks in it. The main reason behind the collapse of wall is apparently the steep slope made by the Fisheries department to make a park to beautify the Aquarium near it. Though, it is the Violation of the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, as nothing can be constructed in the radius of 100 meters from any historical monument, as per the Archeological department. But the park was constructed before the implementation of this law.
Bitta Mahant, Priest at Kali Mata Temple inside the fort said, "There were heavy rocks and trees outside the walls of the fort, but while constructing the Aquarium the agencies have removed the rocks and trees, which were retaining the walls."
"The steep slope filled with soil has weakened the foundations of the fort, so the heavy rain has collapsed the wall of the fort," he added.
The Archeology department has also agreed that the construction of the Aquarium has weakened the foundation of the Bahu fort from the right side.
"Every historical building needs retaining wall to strengthen the foundation of the building, so that the erosion can be controlled, It can be one of the main reasons behind the collapse of the wall that there is a steep slope filled with soil behind the wall of the Bahu fort," said an official of Director Archeology Department.
"At the time of construction of the Aquarium, the fort was not under the Archeology Department and we cannot expect conservation and preservation from the Fisheries department, they had to do the beautification and they have done their job only without taking care of the conservation of the Fort," he added.
He also accepted that despite of having steep slope behind the wall, the department was not aware of the fact that the foundation of this wall was weak.
Officials of the Fisheries Department, Jammu said, "At the time of the construction of the aquarium, a world class Architect was engaged and it was instructed to him that the Aquarium should be made in such a manner that it should not harm the structure of the Bahu fort."
"The preservation of the Fort is the duty of the Archeology department, Fishries department should not be blamed for it," he added. |
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