The Ministry of National Heritage and Culture has refused permission to relocate a British-era World War I memorial after developers sought to move the structure to make way for a commercial project.
Officials cited the absence of legal heritage protection and missing land ownership records from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) as key reasons for the decision.
Protected Status Required Before Any Relocation
An official from the ministry said the memorial cannot be shifted unless it is formally declared a protected heritage site. However, the process has stalled because the CDA has failed to provide the required revenue and land records, despite repeated reminders issued since 2020.
Without this documentation, the Department of Archaeology and Museums is unable to initiate legal proceedings to grant the site protected status.
Historic Memorial Faces Structural Risk
The memorial, constructed after 1914 to honor local soldiers from villages including Rehara, is located on Kuri Road near Rehara village. Recent construction activity in the surrounding area has cut and leveled nearby land, leaving the structure isolated on a 35 to 40-foot-high mound.
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Officials warned that the monument has tilted significantly and is now at serious risk of collapse if immediate preservation measures are not taken.
Relocation Proposal Rejected
The Department of Archaeology and Museums rejected a proposal by the CDA and a private housing society to relocate the memorial to a nearby roundabout. Authorities stated that moving the monument would undermine its historical and commemorative value, as it would be removed from its original context.
The ministry further clarified that even relocation would legally require the site to be declared protected, which remains impossible in the absence of CDA documentation.
Ministry Warns of Possible Loss of Landmark
The Ministry of National Heritage and Culture warned that continued inaction could result in the permanent loss of the neglected historical landmark. It urged the CDA to immediately provide the necessary records to allow formal protection and conservation of the memorial.
