Delhi upset with Modi government, wants heritage tag

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has decided to actively pursue the matter of the national capital getting the prestigious Unesco world heritage city tag. Upset with the Centre's decision to stop Delhi's nomination just weeks before the 39th world heritage committee session was to convene in Germany , chief minister Arvind Kejriwal made it clear that they will discuss the issue with ministry of external affairs (MEA) and do whatever they can to ensure the status.

The Centre withdrawing Delhi's nomination was first reported by TOI. Culture minister Mahesh Sharma had said the decision was taken by MEA after the UD ministry expressed concerns that the heritage tag could impact de velopment in Delhi. The Centre was heavily criticized for withdrawing the nomination by heritage lovers and citizens waiting for Delhi to become the country's first world heritage city.

In a reconciliatory move, the Centre then said the withdrawal was temporary . In line with a new communication with the central government, Unesco issued a corrigendum days after Delhi's nomination was withdrawn that it had been postponed for discussion to future date.

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage ( INTACH), which prepared the nomination dossier, sought a meeting with Delhi government to pursue the matter with MEA so Delhi could be eligible for nomination next year. Following this, a high-level meeting was held attended by CM Kejriwal, deputy CM Manish Sisodia, tourism minister Jitender Kochar, chief secretary KK Sharma and senior officials from ministry of culture and ASI, the stakeholders in the project.

"For Delhi to be considered for the tag next year, the Centre has to inform Unesco they want ICOMOS's evaluation report from last year to be opened by December 1 this year. For this, Delhi government needs to talk to the Centre and assure them a world heritage tag for Delhi will not hinder development, rather it will be an asset," said a source.

"Kejriwal wanted to know the reason for the withdrawal of the nomination and said he was surprised over the decision. The CM directed the chief secretary to talk to officials in MEA and ministry of culture to know the reason for the withdrawal, what the chances were now and how it can now be taken ahead," said a government statement.

The CM also made it clear that they would meet officials from MEA or culture minis try to get the heritage status especially after they were in formed that Delhi and Mumbai were both advocating for the tag and India's apex world heritage committee had given the former's nomination an edge over the latter.