New Delhi: Every two minutes a plane flies over the 13th century Qutab Minar, a fact that is giving Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials sleepless nights. They are worried that the vibrations from the aircraft could affect the foundation of the monument, one of the tallest in the world and which is located in a seismic zone.
The ASI has now taken up the matter with the civil aviation ministry . According to sources, ASI has expressed concern over the frequent flights over the monument and has written to the civil aviation ministry asking it to ensure that low-flying planes do not come close to the 72.5-m high monument.
Said ASI joint director-general Dr B R Mani: Ever since the new runway was inaugurated last September , Qutab Minar has fallen in the approach path and the frequency of planes flying over the monument has increased tremendously . We believe that a plane flies over the tower every two minutes and the vibrations from the plane can affect the minars foundation. The new runway is one of the longest in Asia and ASI is believed to have told the civil aviation ministry to change the flight path of planes. Sources in the civil aviation ministry said they were looking into the matter and if necessary , a study would be conducted.
ASI is no mood to take any chances with Qutab Minar. The minar built by Qutubuddin Aibak in 1173 was the first monument in the capital to be awarded the world heritage status by Unesco in 1993. IT is also the most visited monument in Delhi, followed closely by Red Fort. Sources say that upto 10,000 people visit Qutab Minar on a daily basis.
Earlier this year, ASI had tackled another problem in the historical minar which was threatened by a seepage problem in the foundation . To stop the problem, ASI cemented the area around Qutab Minar to strengthen the foundation and prevent any further tilt. The monument has a natural tilt of 25 inches to the southeast. Rainwater seepage could have weakend the foundation of the minar. Cementing the area around the minar helped prevent any further rainwater seepage , said a senior ASI official.
