NBCC & ASI illuminating Qutub Minar in Delhi

New Delhi: If you happen to see an illuminated, glowing Qutub Minar against Delhi's dark cityscape at night, you must know who to thank. State-run NBCC Ltd has taken up the task of illuminating a beacon of Delhi's Mughal heritage ⁠— Qutub Minar⁠ — in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

What is NBCC responsible for here?

NBCC is responsible for restoring, illuminating, landscaping the area, upgradation and repairs of the existing pathway for the benefit of visitors.

"ASI has shown confidence in NBCC for the restoration and development of infrastructure facilities, illumination at various monuments of importance in Delhi, and we in association with ASI have successfully executed it" said Raman Agarwal, Executive Director at NBCC.

How much money has been spent on this?

The cost for illumination of Qutub Minar for four hours everyday works out to be Rs 1,99,388.16 per annum. All the fixtures are warm LED light and do not affect mosquitos or harm the environment, a source said. The light also use 62 percent less energy than previously used conventional fixtures. The project consumes a total of 17 KW of electricity everyday.

The backdrop

Last year, NBCC completed the task of illuminating and restoring Purana Quila. A total of Rs 30-32 crore was spent on the project, half of which was contributed by the state-run company, while the other half came from the ASI. The project was implemented in three phases under the aegis of 'Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan' programme.