Mostly roped in from outside Delhi, the 'heritage contractors', as they are called in conservation parlance, bring with them vast experience on implementing heritage projects around the country.
As it works overtime to spruce up Delhi's historical sites ahead of the Commonwealth Games, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is depending heavily on1 outsiders, generously outsourcing work to "heritage contractors".
With conservation work in full swing at over 40 monuments across the capital, the ASI, the apex body for maintaining heritage sites, has employed some 10 to 15 agencies to implement its plans on the ground.
Mostly roped in from outside Delhi, the "heritage contractors", as they are called in conservation parlance, bring with them vast experience on implementing heritage projects around the country, ASI officials said.
"It is not a routine practice for us to employ outside workers for our projects in Delhi, and earlier we used to do such work on our own," said Delhi Superintendent Archaeologist KK Muhammad.
However, given the paucity of time and the amount of work to be completed within the October deadline, it was imperative for the heritage body to rope in outsiders.
"Given our limited staff and strength, it was practically impossible for us to finish this work on our own. We, therefore, brought in agencies who have worked with us earlier on crucial conservation projects in Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and some historical sites in Madhya Pradesh," he told PTI.
The contractors, who have been employed following a bidding process, have in turn brought to the restoration sites hundreds of labourers from nearby states.
"At some sites like Tughlaqabad Fort, the Jahapanah Wall, Qila Rai Pithora Wall and Najaf Khan's tomb, where massive restoration projects are underway, an estimated 500 labourers are currently working through these agencies," Muhammad said.
Given their experience in the field, conservationists said, these unsung workers were an asset for restoration work.
"They are people who are working in the field of restoring heritage monuments for the past 20 to 25 years, they are in fact better than conservationists," the ASI official said.
"While the latter are usually in the work of documentation, it is the heritage workers who know the reality on the sites and how to execute plans, keeping in mind the history and type of the monuments," he added.
Work is currently in progress on 46 monuments in the capital, which are to be restored to their prime glory ahead of the Commonwealth Games in October when a large number of tourists are expected to flock to Delhi.
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