Heritage Conservation in Delhi

Scope and purpose

Heritage Conservation in Delhi describes the historical layers of Delhi and the institutional system used to protect its monuments, heritage buildings and precincts. It identifies three World Heritage Sites, the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar, and refers to monuments listed by the Archaeological Survey of India, the State Department of Archaeology and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage.

The presentation concerns Delhi. It does not state any rule or approval requirement for land or buildings in Tamil Nadu.

Construction and planning controls

The presentation describes nationwide Archaeological Survey of India legislation from 1958 and 2010. Its listed controls include:

• Private and public construction is prohibited within 100 metres of a heritage building or monument.
• A further 200 metres is treated as a regulated area.
• The Archaeological Survey of India may undertake work to protect and maintain monuments or heritage sites.
• The proposed National Monument Authority may recommend approval or rejection of construction and repair applications within restricted limits.

The Master Plan of Delhi 2021 includes a conservation chapter covering heritage databases, listed buildings, development guidelines, heritage zones, archaeological parks and special conservation plans.

Heritage grades

The Delhi heritage grading system states that no listed building may be demolished. Permitted work depends on the grade:

• Grade A allows authentic conservation with approvals, but no exterior or interior changes.
• Grade B allows interior changes without structural additions or alterations. New buildings may be allowed within the site, subject to distance, compatible architectural character and approvals.
• Grade C allows alterations, additions and new structures within the site, but not demolition of the listed building.
• Adaptive reuse is permitted in all grades when the new function is approved by the local body and the Heritage Conservation Committee and is consistent with the Master Plan or Zonal Plan.

Approvals and responsible bodies

A heritage proposal is routed through the relevant local authority, then the Heritage Conservation Committee and then the Delhi Urban Art Commission. The Heritage Conservation Committee scrutinises proposals and may approve or reject them, while considering restoration, landscape, urban design and architectural character.

The presentation notes that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi heritage list was still under process and had not been gazetted. It also describes roles for the New Delhi Municipal Council, Delhi Development Authority, Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and State Archaeology Department.