Ajmer, Sep 12 (NationPress) The demolition of the Seven Wonders replicas located in the Anasagar Wetland region of Ajmer commenced on Friday.

Following the directive of the Supreme Court, the Ajmer Development Authority (ADA) initiated the removal of these structures, which were deemed illegal encroachments on the wetland. The Supreme Court had mandated the removal of these constructions six months prior.

Initially, only a single statue was relocated, but now the administration has embarked on a comprehensive demolition. In its affidavit submitted to the court, the district administration had pledged that the structures would be dismantled by September 17.

The replicas, built under the Smart City Project at an expenditure of approximately Rs 12 crore and inaugurated by the previous Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in 2022, featured miniature versions of iconic landmarks including the Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, Egyptian Pyramids, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Roman Colosseum, Statue of Liberty, and Christ the Redeemer.

The controversy began when former BJP councillor Ashok Malik filed a writ petition in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on March 11, 2023, highlighting the destruction of wetlands surrounding Anasagar and the infringement of the master plan.

On August 11, 2023, the NGT ordered the demolition of the Seven Wonders Park, Patel Stadium, Gandhi Smriti Udyan, and the food court adjacent to the lake, stating that these constructions disrupted the ecological balance of the wetland.

In January 2024, the ADA appealed to the Supreme Court. During the hearings, the court questioned why the NGT's orders had not been executed. On February 25, 2025, the Chief Secretary was instructed to appear via video conferencing, and a subsequent affidavit was submitted requesting an extension of six months for the demolition, which is due by September 17, leading to today’s actions.

During the March 2025 hearing, the bench remarked, "Your actions do not suggest that you aim to make Ajmer smarter. We question how a city can be considered smart without safeguarding its water bodies and wetlands, and how cities can claim to be smart while encroaching upon them."

The Smart City Project in Ajmer was managed by successive IAS officers serving as CEO, District Collector, Municipal Commissioner, and ADA Commissioner. Nevertheless, accountability for the construction of the Seven Wonders remains unresolved. As the demolition commenced today, the administration barred media access to the site and deployed a significant police presence to maintain order.