Over one tonne explosive substance lying for many decades at Rathambore Fort in Rajasthan's Sawaimadhopur district has been disposed of by a National Security Guard (NSG) team, an official said today.
"A six-member NSG team led by a Lt Colonel rank official shifted the explosive substance (gunpowder) from the fort to Sawaimadhopur police firing range. It was dumped into large pits and set on fire," Onkar Singh Lakhawat, Chairman of Rajasthan Heritage Conservation Authority said.
"The entire process was conducted from October 31 to November 4," he said.
The explosive substance was lying at the fort for many decades posing threat to the UNESCO World Heritage site which is frequented by large number of tourists and wildlife lovers every year.
The issue was pending for several years. It was raised in a meeting of Rajasthan Heritage Conservation Authority some time back after which Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje was informed and she wrote to the Centre last month requesting disposal of the explosive, Lakhawat added.
Archaeological Survey of India, Jaipur which maintains the monument had written more than 15 letters and reminders to Rajasthan government in the last nine years requesting it to get the explosive disposed, an ASI official said.
But the state had argued that since the monument comes under Centre's jurisdiction it is for the Union Government to take a decision, he said, adding a local NGO too had filed a PIL in the High Court over the matter.
"Now we will repair Hammir Mahal, where the explosive was stored in two rooms, and open it for public. However repairing is a time consuming process," the official said.
The fort is said to have been constructed by Maharaja Jayanta in 5th century AD while some theories suggest that it was built in 944 AD by Chauhan ruler Sapaldaksha.
Surrounded the Vindhya and Aravali ranges, the historical fort situated 1,579 ft above the sea level and lies in the heart of the famous Ranthambhore tiger reserve which is home to 55 to 60 tigers, including cubs and sub-adults and other animals.
