With one of the oldest rock formations in danger of being turned into a dump yard or a parking lot, the Geological Survey of India has (GSI) directed Lalbagh authorities from undertaking any work that may damage the nearly 3,000-million-year-old monument.
Ditches and trenches around the ‘Peninsular Gneiss National Monument’, were allegedly filled for the construction of a parking lot while garbage and filth has accumulated there, said H.S.M. Prakash, Director (Technical Coordination), National Geological Monument, GSI.
The rock is the only recognised geological monument in the city. “It is of great value to researchers as such formations are not readily found,” said Mr. Prakash.
This is not the first time that the horticulture department has been accused of carrying out works that may damage the monument. In November last year, authorities had filled the trenches with debris, mud and garbage to undertake “plantation” all along the rock.
J. Gunavanth, Deputy Director of Horticulture, Lalbagh said, “The rocks have not been damaged in any way…while the parking lot proposal was there a few years ago, there has been no progress since then. The area was cleared only to plant trees.”
