HC directs Kolhapur collector to submit timeline of action to be taken against 71 encroachments surrounding Kopeshwar temple
Kolhapur: Bombay high court’s Kolhapur bench has directed the district collector to compile a list of 71 encroachments around the 12th-century Kopeshwar temple at Khidrapur and submit a clear timeline for action. The directions came during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a
By Abhijeet Patil
Kolhapur: Bombay high court’s Kolhapur bench has directed the district collector to compile a list of 71 encroachments around the 12th-century Kopeshwar temple at Khidrapur and submit a clear timeline for action.
The directions came during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a Kolhapur-based activist seeking protection and conservation of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected monument.A division bench of Justices Milind Jadhav and Nandesh Deshpande, hearing the matter on June 18, also sought details on the extent of illegal constructions in the area.
Petitioner’s counsel Yuvraj Narvankar informed the court about a parliamentary committee report highlighting that 94% of centuries-old heritage sites across the country had been lost due to neglect, raising concerns that Kopeshwar Temple could face a similar fate.Representing the ASI, lawyer Vijay Killedar supported the petitioner’s claims.
He told the court that an initial survey had identified 31 illegal structures within the 100-metre prohibited zone and 40 within the 300-metre regulated buffer zone.
These findings had already been submitted to the district administration.
The court reiterated that, as per settled Supreme Court law, no construction was permissible within protected areas.In its order issued on June 20, the bench stated, “This court does not expect any lip sympathy from the collector, but expects strong action against the encroachers and illegal constructions, especially those in the prohibited-core area.”The court also pulled up the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) for absence despite bring issued notice, directing its vice-chairman and managing director to appear via videoconferencing at the next hearing to explain the status of Rs 101 crore allocated five years ago for the conservation of the Kopeshwar temple and seven other heritage sites. “We are impelled to pass this order directing his presence because orders of the court will not be neglected by the authorities, without any reasons," the bench stated.Additionally, it instructed the Khidrapur gram panchayat to refrain from granting any further construction permissions in the area.
The PIL will now be heard every 15 days.Meanwhile, the Khidrapur gram panchayat on Monday passed a resolution to observe an indefinite bandh, ban tourists and shut access to the temple from June 27.
The resolution also called for relaxation of ASI norms governing the 100-metre prohibited zone and 300-metre regulated area.Residents argued that the identified structures were not encroachments.
Dayanand Mane, convenor of the Khidrapur Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, said, “The temple is located within fortification boundaries, while surrounding areas fall under village jurisdiction.
Strict ASI rules are impractical as the village is geographically isolated and lacks rehabilitation options.”The temple attracts around 800-1,000 visitors daily, with footfall increasing significantly on weekends.ASI lawyer Killedar informed the court that the temple had suffered structural wear due to prolonged exposure to monsoons.
Immediate restoration plans included removing outdated waterproofing layers from key sections like the Swarn Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Antaral and Garbhagruha, followed by fresh waterproofing to prevent seepage and extend the structure’s lifespan.A structural audit will also be conducted by experts from IITs or similar institutions to assess the stability of the monument and recommend further conservation measures.
Tenders have been floated for the restoration work, and MSRDC has been appointed as the nodal agency to oversee the project.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolhapur | Silver Rate in Kolhapur | Bank Holidays in Kolhapur | Public Holidays in KolhapurStay updated with the latest Kolhapur news.
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