'Archaeological Survey of India is defacing Vasai Fort'

If you are planning to visit Vasai Fort, don’t be surprised by its new look. Currently being restored by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the 500-year-old regal fort is now sporting white patches of plaster.

Meanwhile, locals are not pleased with the way the work is being carried out. “The restoration and preservation work has almost destroyed some ancient inscriptions. Most of the inscriptions have been defaced by the application of sand and cement,” said Sridutta Raut, who heads Kille Vasai Mohim, a local history group working to preserve the fort.

Raut further alleged that casual labourers from nearby areas with no knowledge of preservation work have been employed for the job. “The fort needed only a bit of a touch-up. There was no need for restoration of the original structures,” added Raut, stating that the ASI did not consult local historians and experts before undertaking the restoration work.

Marcus Dabre, a Vasai resident, asked, “Aren’t there any standards to be maintained while carrying out the restoration or preservation work of a fort? How can the fort’s outer structure be plastered with cement and sand? Have the officials followed the norms?”

ASI officials of the Mumbai Circle admitted that some parts of the fort are being plastered but insisted that this is within the norms. “The work is being carried out as per the norms and using appropriate material,” said an ASI official requesting anonymity.

The ASI’s Mumbai Circle superintending archaeologist MS Chauhan was not available for comment.