Lok Sabha Question No. 4097 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Conservation of Historical and Cultural Sites in Meerut
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Arun Govil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4097 ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

## CONSERVATION OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SITES IN MEERUT

†4097. SHRI ARUN GOVIL:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that Meerut district is historically and culturally very rich and land of the first  revolution  of  1857  and  having  many  ancient  temples,  memories  related  to  the  freedom struggle,  archaeological  sites  and  other  cultural  heritage  as  well  as  Meerut's  traditional craftsmanship, handicrafts and sports culture also have their own unique identity in the country and abroad;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  schemes  being  run  or  proposed  to  be  run  by  the  Government  to conserve, promote and develop the historical and cultural sites located in Meerut district as tourist destinations; and
- (c) the details of the schemes, the sanctioned budget and the current status of their implementation?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a)& (b) There are 08 ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains declared as of National importance in the district Meerut under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains  Act,  1958.  Their  conservation,  preservation  and  annual  maintenance  including environmental presentation are taken up by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as per the requirement considering availability of funds and resources. Further, upkeep and maintenance of the protected monuments and sites is a continuous process.  Further, amenities like drinking water,  toilets,  pathways,  ramps,  etc.,  besides  facilities  like  Wi-Fi,  cafeteria,  interpretation centre, signage, etc. are provided based on requirement and availability of resources. For tourism destination under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SD1.0) there are two sanctioned projects namely:-
- (i)  Development  of  Spiritual  Circuit:    Bijnor-Meerut-Kanpur  Dehat-  Banda-GhazipurSalempur-Ghosi-Balia-Ambedkar Nagar-Aligarh-Fatehpur-Deoria-Mahoba-SonbhadraChandausi-Mishrikh-Bhadohi.
- (ii)Development  of  Heritage  Circuit:  Kalinjar  Fort  (Banda)-  Maghar  Dham  (Sant  Kabir Nagar)- Chauri Chaura, Shaheed Sthal (Fathepur)- Mauhar Sthal (Ghosi)- Shaheed Smarak (Meerut).

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- (c) Details  of  tourism  schemes  under  the  Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme  (SD1.0)  and  sanctioned budget are as under:
- (i) Development  of Spiritual Circuit: Bijnor-Meerut-Kanpur Dehat-  Banda-GhazipurSalempur-Ghosi-Balia-Ambedkar Nagar-Aligarh-Fatehpur-Deoria-Mahoba-SonbhadraChandausi-Mishrikh-Bhadohi sanctioned for Rs. 67.51 crore in 2016-17
- (ii)  Development  of  Heritage  Circuit:  Kalinjar  Fort  (Banda)-  Maghar  Dham  (Sant  Kabir Nagar)- Chauri Chaura, Shaheed Sthal (Fathepur)- Mauhar Sthal (Ghosi)- Shaheed Smarak (Meerut), sanctioned for Rs. 36.65 crore in 2016-17.

In addition to above, list of projects of Tourism Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, in district Meerut is as under:-

1. Tourism development of Nauchandi  Temple.
2. 2.Beautification of Martyr's Memorial established in memory of Martyrs in village Bhamouri and construction of museum.
3.  Tourism  development  work  of  the  very  ancient  Pandeswar  Mahadev  temple,  in  village Pooth Khas.
4.  Tourism  development  work  of  the  sites  of  1857  revolution  in  Meerut  and  Martyr's Memorial in Meerut.
5. Tourism development work at Sardhana Church in Meerut.
6. Integrated tourism development work of Hastinapur, Meerut.

The sanctioned budget for above works   (1 to 6) is Rs. 2848.61 lakhs.

For  conservation  of  protected  monuments,  thought  there  is  no  scheme,  conservation  and maintenance related works are taken up by the ASI through annual conservation programme. Provision  for    conservation  and  maintenance  of  these  monuments  for  the  current  year  and expenditure is as under:

Provision:     112 lakhs

Expenditure: 11.39 lakhs (up to 15.07.2025)

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