Thiruvananthapuram: Centuries-old fort wall in ruins

Thiruvananthapuram: Hundreds of encroachment have come along the centuries-old fort wall - which stretches around 4.5 km - making it impossible for the Archaeology Department to carry out proper conservation of the historical monument. Despite having stringent norms under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeology Sites and Remains Act of 1968, the state archaeology department authorities are not showing the spine to remove the illegal structures.

It is learnt that the Archaeology Department has approached the district administration to remove the illegal structures that are sprouting in and around the wall. An official said that the department has submitted a report on the illegal encroachments. The City Corporation, which is supposed to keep a tab on illegal construction, is turning a blind eye. Exposing the fort wall for public view is one of prime objective of the department.

 "We are unable to undertake conservation activities due to encroachments and widespread garbage dumping in the area. A high-level intervention is needed to take out these structures. The district administration should take this up with government and assign the revenue department to do the job," said the official. The department has given the list of all the structures along the fort wall.  "We can't find out the legal and illegal structures along the wall. West Fort region is one of the prime hot spots. Several houses have come up in the region," said the official.

However, the district administration said that the archaeology department has the authority to remove the structures. "We will give all the support to carry out the eviction," said an official.