Seven wonders including the Statue of Liberty in Ajmer are now being demolished. The Supreme Court has held that its construction is a violation of wetland rules. The order said- ‘How can cities become smart by encroaching on water bodies, wetlands?'
A former BJP councillor had filed a writ on the construction of Seven Wonders, which was made part of Rs 1,000 crore Smart City Project. The cost of Seven Wonders Park – which had become a must visit tourist site – is estimated at Rs 11 crore. However, the total cost of construction along side Ana Sagar Lake including LuvKush Park, Gandhi Park and Food Court among others is around Rs 80 crores.
When the park is being demolished on the orders of NGT and Supreme Court, voices are being raised to penalise and recover the cost from officers chairing the Smart City office.
“It was a political decision to construct seven wonders in Ajmer on the lines of Seven Wonders constructed in Kota. When the plan was made for Ajmer Smart City, concept of Seven Wonders was not there. It was included later at the behest of top political leadership then,” said a senior official who had served n Ajmer during that time.
For those who are baying for blood of officers that be must understand the fact that the project was not driven by officers but it was a political mandate.
“All those officers who helmed the position of Ajmer Smart City head position just followed the instructions of government. They should not be held accountable for the action which was taken from the top office. Barely having experience of 7-8 years, these officers could only follow what they were told to do,” said a retired IAS officer, who served in Ajmer division for more than a decade.
What is the project?
Under the smart city project in Ajmer, Seven Wonders were prepared on about one hectare of land on the banks of Anasagar Lake. These seven wonders included replica of Taj Mahal, Pyramid of Egypt, Eiffel Tower, Christ the Redeemer, Colosseum of Rome, Minaret of Pisa and Statue of Liberty. It was inaugurated by then chief minister Ashok Gehlot in March 2022.
Seven Wonders controversy
Ashok Malik (former councillor, BJP) had filed a writ in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on March 11, 2023 over the elimination of the wetland around Anasagar and ignoring the master plan.
On 11 August 2023, the Bhopal bench of the NGT in its order had ordered the demolition of the Seven Wonders Park, Patel Stadium, Gandhi Smriti Park and the food court built around the lake.
The NGT had observed that the construction was done in defiance of the wetland and the master plan. The NGT had expressed concern that continued development was damaging the ecological balance of the lake.
What happened in the Supreme Court?
On September 9, 2023, petitioner Ashok Malik filed a caveat in the Supreme Court. He told the court that if a stay is sought from the government in this case, then their argument should also be heard first.
On November 8, 2023, the state government had challenged the NGT's orders in the Supreme Court. The ADA, Collector and CS had filed a petition from the Supreme Court seeking a stay and setting aside the NGT's order.
On December 1, 2023, a hearing was held in the Supreme Court, which refused to give stay to the government. After this, on December 13, 2023, the NGT's report was sought on wet land.
Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma, representing the Rajasthan government, had argued that these constructions are part of the Ajmer Smart City Project and comply with the Ajmer Master Plan. He maintained that Seven Wonders and other structures were outside the wetland area and did not affect the ecological balance of the lake.
On February 17, 2025, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition of the officers and directed to comply with the NGT order. Along with this, a personal affidavit was sought from the CS.
The Supreme Court in its order said that the smart city officials had presented the photos in the Supreme Court and described the constructions as beautiful. On this, the Supreme Court had said that the construction may be beautiful, but if the rules have been violated, it will have to be demolished. The Supreme Court also did not accept the affidavit presented by the ACEO of Smart City and the Municipal Corporation Commissioner, expressing displeasure.
Vivek Shukla is a management graduate who has worked in corporate worked for 20 years and is now pursuing his passion — news.
