ALLAHABAD: The old gate on GT road near Khuldabad vegetable market in the city would soon be part of history as the district administration has decided to demolish it since it is obstructing the widening of the road. The gate which has been a landmark on the trade route constructed by emperor Sher Shah Suri has suffered massive damage over time due to continued neglect and has suffered irreparable damage.Now, several roads are being widened in view of the upcoming Kumbh 2019, the stretch of old GT road from Himmatganj to Loknath is also being widened. The gate at Khuldabad is hence facing demolition as it is obstructing the widening of road.When TOI questioned the officer in charge of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Allahabad, Avinash Chandra Tripathi on the demolition of a historical structure, he said, "On an inquiry by the Allahabad Development Authority (ADA), we made clear two facts; one that it is a historical site and secondly, that it is not an ASI protected site".ADA vice chairman, B C Goswami said, "As the work of widening of road is under way and this gate is not an ASI protected site, we have no other option but to demolish it for widening the road as it will relieve the locality from regular traffic jams."When head of department of medieval history, Allahabad University, Prof Yogeshwar Tiwari was asked to throw light on the historical importance of the gate, he said, "As Mughals expanded their kingdom and trade, they constructed various ' sarais' (inns) along the road and a majestic gate at the entrance of each city. The gate near the rear end of Khusrobagh was the gate of Allahabad.""Since development has to be carried out, there is no harm in demolishing the gate which is considered to have been constructed during second half of 16th century. However, authorities can replace it with a new gate and put up a plaque having picture of the old structure at the spot," Prof Tiwari added.

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