The protected and prohibited zone of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which contains 2,300 year old ‘Megalithic Burial Sites' in Kilambakkam bus terminus has been illegally excavated and mined for red earth.
Local sources said that illegal mining of red sand was done by the contractor hired by Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority for Archaeological Interpretation Centre and climate park in the upcoming Kilambakkam bus terminus.
Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) member secretary Anshul Mishra said that "We are only sectioning (leveling) the earth for construction of the park." Chief Minister MK Stalin laid the foundation stone for the project, which is to be created at Rs 14.98 crore. He said that ASI
Superintending Archaeologist is also a member of the CMDA committee. To a query on allegations that the sand is being dug and used for another park being built by CMDA in six acres of land by the contractor, he said that he will find out if such illegal thing is happening and action will be taken as per the law.
M Kalimuthu, Superintending Archaeologist, told The New Indian Express that following a complaint, he asked officials to survey the site. "The site has been excavated. We are investigating. As per the Act, a notice will be sent to the concerned agency. After which we will register a First Information Report with the police," he said.
According to an amendment to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act in January 2010, all construction is banned within 100 metres of ASI-protected areas and any construction or reconstruction or repair of a building within 200 metre of such areas requires permission from the National Monument Authority.
The National Monument Authority (NMA) gave its clearance for construction of a bus terminus with a total height of 34 metres on five conditions. These include that there should be no development in the 100 metre prohibited area except greenery; boundary of the site and signages should be done by the state government; space for education and interpretation of the site for public; involvement of archaeologist at the time of excavation and mitigation measures to be taken at the time of construction.
Kalimuthu says that discussion was for levelling without any digging. "I never gave them the permission to remove earth. Have they consulted anyone in the department? They have to do only levelling. They should not disturb the site. They can't dig the site. We may be part of the committee but we will not tell them to destroy our site," said Kalimuthu.
He said that from what the report was filed by ASI officials, it is much more than levelling. "If they are levelling, they should have informed us and we would have deputed our official," said Kalimuthu.
According to local sources, the construction of the experimental park and the other one at six acres of land is both being done by a single contractor. It is learnt that the red sand is being dug and smuggled out illegally during the night. It is also alleged that part of it could be sold outside.
A week ago, an anonymous complaint was sent to higher officials in Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and also to The New Indian Express, which was also forwarded to ASI. Sources said the CMDA officials did not take any action over the complaint.
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