Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb among 170 Delhi monuments set for major restoration drive

The Archaeological Survey of India is carrying out a large restoration and conservation drive across Delhi, with work planned at around 140 of the city's 170 protected monuments. Among the 20 monuments set to regain their historic character are the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar, while nearly 120 other heritage structures have also been marked for repair and conservation.

An ASI official said the programme aims to preserve the monuments in their original form while addressing damage caused by time, weather and pollution. The official said the exercise is focused not merely on improving the appearance of the monuments, but on preserving their historical authenticity and preventing further deterioration through scientific conservation methods.

At the UNESCO World Heritage Site Red Fort, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648 after he shifted his capital to Shahjahanabad, the ASI has almost completed the restoration of the Northern Cell. According to the official, the work is expected to be finished before Independence Day.

The cell, which had turned white after later repairs, is being restored to its original Mughal-era appearance by bringing back the fort's red sandstone facade through traditional conservation techniques. The Northern Cell, one of the barrack-like historic structures inside the fort complex, was built during the Mughal period and was later modified under British rule for residential and administrative use. In recent years, it has undergone conservation to stabilise ageing walls, repair damaged masonry, restore lime plaster and improve drainage.

The ASI has also completed the revival of the water tank around Zafar Mahal, a red sandstone water pavilion built by the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar inside the Red Fort in 1842. The project covered restoration of the historic water body, revival of the fountains and illumination of the pavilion.

Another major project is under way at Safdarjung Tomb, where the ASI and the World Monuments Fund are carrying out one of the monument's most extensive restoration exercises in recent decades. The work includes structural repairs, restoration of damaged architectural features, landscaping and revival of the historic water system. The project is estimated to cost about Rs 5 crore and is targeted for completion by the end of July.

Other prominent monuments selected for major restoration include Humayun's Tomb, the first grand Mughal garden tomb commissioned by Bega Begum in 1565 in memory of Emperor Humayun, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Qutub Minar, whose construction began under Qutb-ud-din Aibak in 1199 and was completed by his successors.

The list also includes Purana Qila, built by Humayun and later expanded by Sher Shah Suri in the 16th century; Begumpur Mosque, one of Delhi's largest medieval mosques from the Tughlaq period; the Hauz Khas complex, which developed around a reservoir built by Alauddin Khilji; and the City Wall and Kotla Maqbara, both linked to Delhi's medieval past.

Overall, the drive will cover some of the capital's best-known monuments as well as many other protected sites in an effort to repair, conserve and restore them in line with their original character.