Unique underground water supply system ‘Kundi Bhandara’ proposed for world heritage tag
Senior Correspondent
NewsBits.in
BHOPAL: The unique underground water supply system ‘Kundi Bhandara’ of Burhanpur would again be pushed for world heritage tag.
A proposal is to be sent to union government to forward the process, cabinet minister from MP, Archana Chitnis has said.
Chitnis represents Burhanpur constituency in state assembly. A meeting was convened in Mantralaya on May 10 to prepare an action plan towards conservation and upkeep of Burhanpur as historical and heritage city.
The minister said that the union government would be requested to forward the proposal to UNESCO for inclusion of the unique 17th century water distribution system in world heritage list.
Mughal emperor Akbar's govenor Abdul Rahim Khan-e-Khana constructed the unique structure based upon similar structure in Iran. The structure was based on supply through siphon system using chain of small water structures (kundis) spread across city.
The structure is still functional and serves high-quality drinking water to a section of Burhanpur. It is also a popular tourist spot.Commissioner Archaeology and Archives, Anupam Rajan and representatives of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) were present in the meeting.
Consent on construction of Guru Govind Singh Memorial Museum and Tagore Cultural Hall in the city was given in the meeting. Deliberations to make Heritage Cell of Burhanpur active and to develop city in the form of ‘Museum City’ took place.
A survey of Tapti River Valley would be carried out to bring to light the sites and structures of archaeological and heritage importance in Burhanpur and around, the meeting was told.
Chitnis informed that Makhanlal Chaturvedi Journalism University will provide 2 fellowships on study of Burhanpur heritages. A seminar focusing on Burhanpur will be held at Bhopal on July 15.
Beside this, Burhanpur Day will be organised in Bharat Bhavan, in which folk art, songs, musical instruments, dance, painting and literature of Burhanpur area would be displayed/presented.
Principal Secretary Culture Manoj Shrivastva said that a Burhanpur District Archaeology and Culture Committee will be formed. A book based on Archaeological survey will also be published next month.