Lok Sabha Question No. 1838 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Parking Facilities at  Heritage Monuments
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Rajkumar Chahar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIONNO.1838

ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## PARKING FACILITIES AT HERITAGE MONUMENTS

## 1838. SHRI RAJKUMAR CHAHAR:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  the  availability  and  proper management  of  parking  facilities  at  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  managed monuments
- (b) whether the Government is aware of the poor management of parking facilities at UNESCO World  Heritage  sites  like  the  Taj  Mahal,  Agra  Fort  and  Fatehpur  Sikri,  which  negatively impacts visitor experiences, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  engage  with  relevant  authorities  to  improve parking infrastructure, introduce FASTag facilities to prevent overcharging and disputes with parking  contractors  and  regulate  parking  charges  at  these  monuments,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d) the details of the initiatives that have been implemented by the Government to enhance the overall  visitor  experience  at  heritage  sites,  considering  the  importance  of  holistic  service management, regardless of which authority manages specific facilities; and
- (e) whether the Government has any plans to establish uniform standards for parking facilities, including the integration of technology like FASTag and to improve visitor amenities at ASI managed monuments and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Parking at the protected monuments is generally provided by the local planning
- & Authorities/Administration.  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  makes  provisions  for
- (b) parking of vehicles wherever space is available. At present the parking facility is available at 106  monuments  and  areas.  Further,  the  parking  facility  is  developed  and  managed  by  the local authority at Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri and Red Fort.
- (c) The  mandate  of  ASI  is  the  protection,  conservation  and  preservation  of  the  protected monuments and areas. However, ASI takes all possible steps to ensure the parking charges are reasonable at ASI managed parking areas.
- (d) Besides the routine maintenance, upkeep and conservation, ASI is providing the basic tourist amenities and facilities such as drinking water, toilets, signage's, visitor's benches, cafeterias, baby feeding rooms, wheel chairs, audio guides, pathways, ramps, garbage bins etc. based upon the footfall  and  feasibility.  In  addition  to  that  interpretation  centers,  light  and  sound shows, illumination etc. have also been provided at some of the monuments in collaboration with  Department  of  Tourism/  Local  Administration.  The  Ministry  of  Culture  has  also launched "Adopt A Heritage Program 2.0" to enhance the visitors experience by providing and improving the amenities in the monument premises by the corporate bodies.
- (e) No such proposal is under consideration with ASI at present.