Because of negligence lack of interest in historical monument on the part of both central and state governments no adequate steps are taken to repair, restore and maintain lots of heritage sites scattered across India. In many places they are in a poor state facing gradual crumbling. In some sites controlled by the ASI - Archaeological society of India the state government offices functioning there are quite lethargic to move out to facilitate repair and restoration work to be done by the ASI. The attitude of the state government in some parts is very much against the spirit of conservation of sIndia'ainvaluable heritage sites and this will push the monuments into a wretched state beyond which redemption is impossible. The historical fort called Palakkad Fort, Palakkad city, Kerala is a good example to show how the state government is playing hide and seek with the ASI who wants the state government offices to move out so that they can carry out the restoration work on the poorly maintained fort. That the medieval fort at Palakkad continues to remain in a poor condition is a sad story with respect this historical heritage site. Though the present custodian, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), made efforts through the Palakkad District Collector to immediately relocate major State government offices functioning within the complex, they are yet to move out. A Taluk supply office, special sub-jail, tahsildar office and an office of land reforms have occupied part of the fort complex and they have been there for a pretty long time. The jail portion is in bad condition and the jail inmates, numbering 130 are facing hardship. This is a case of human rights violation.
Monuments freaks and historians continue to protest against the occupation of state govt. offices in a heritage site, but no action was forth-coming from the state government represented by the collector. The good news is the ASI after taking possession of the fort restored most parts of the structure apart to convert it into one of the major tourism destination in the State. The parts, where the state govt. offices are functioning,
are in a dilapidated state, as they maintain them so poorly that they have become an eyesore. So, this necessitates immediate restoration work. Basically, unlike many Indian state governments, the Kerala government gives due priority to conservation of monuments. Their careless attitude regarding Palakkad fort has surprised me. However, it is to be admitted that the District Collector is making efforts along with higher ups to vacate the fort complex as early as possible. In February 2016, it was said that that the offices would soon move out. Nothing has happened so far. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/ASI-seeks-relocation-of-govt.-offices-from-Palakkad-fort/article14500851.ece
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