Lok Sabha Question No. 4860 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Preservation and Promotion of Cultural Heritage in Rajahmundry
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Dr. D. Purandeswari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4860 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026

## PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE IN RAJAHMUNDRY

## 4860. DR. D. PURANDESWARI :

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has allocated funds for the preservation and promotion of the cultural  heritage  surrounding  the  Godavari  river,  particularly  sites  associated  with the Godavari Pushkaralu in Rajahmundry;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  funds  sanctioned  and  utilized  during  the  last  three  years  and  the current year;
- (c) whether  there  is  a  proposal  to  declare  specific  ancient  ghats  in  Rajahmundry  as monuments of national importance;
- (d) if so, the current status of the proposal; and
- (e) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  document  the  oral  histories  and  traditions associated with the river's heritage?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The  Government  has  allocated  funds  for  the  preservation  and  promotion  of  cultural
- & heritage  surrounding  the  Godavari  River,  including  sites  associated  with  the  Godavari
- (b) Pushkaralu  in  Rajahmundry.  The  Ministry  of  Tourism,  Government  of  India  has sanctioned a project titled 'Akhanda Godavari - (Havelock Bridge & Pushkar Ghat)' at Rajahmundry  in  the  year  2024  under  the  Special  Assistance  to  States  for  Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, with a total approved cost of Rs. 94.44 crore.

The project  aims  to  strengthen  tourism  infrastructure  while  preserving  the  cultural  and spiritual identity of the Godavari region. It comprises the following major components:

1. Improvements to Havelock Bridge: Redevelopment of the historic Havelock Bridge into  a  heritage  and  recreational  tourism  attraction  with  themed  spans,  interpretation facilities, visitor amenities, and improved access to Bridge Lanka Island.
2. Development  of  Pushkar  Ghat: Upgradation  and  redesign  of  Pushkar  Ghat  using improved  materials  and  landscape  elements  to  enhance  its  spiritual  ambience  and promote it as a year-round pilgrimage and cultural destination.
3. Kadiyam  Nursery  Experience  Centre: Establishment  of  an  experience  centre  at

Kadiyam Lanka to showcase the region's renowned nurseries through plant displays, exhibitions, local cuisine, and eco-tourism activities.

4. Pilgrim Facilities and Wayside Amenities at Nidadavolu: Development of essential pilgrim  amenities  at  Sri  Kotasattemma  Temple  and  wayside  tourism  facilities, including canal-side experiences at Shamishragudem, to support regional tourism.

The Government of India has set up South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC) at Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu) and South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC) at Nagpur (Maharashtra) to  preserve  and  promote  various  forms  of  folk  art  and  culture  of  their  member  States. Andhra  Pradesh  (Rajahmundry)  is  the  member  State  of  these  ZCCs  and  they  organize various  cultural  activities  and  programmes  in  their  member  States  on  regular  basis  for which annual grant-in-aid is provided to them. The grant-in-aid released to these ZCCs during the last three years is as under:

( Rs. in lakh)

| Sl. No.   | Year   |   2022-23 |   2023-24 |   2024-25 |
|-----------|--------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| i.        | SZCC   |    995.6  |   2143.33 |   2049.05 |
| ii.       | SCZCC  |   1949.97 |   2198.85 |   1009.8  |

Besides, Ministry of Culture has also organized a Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav (RSM) at national level at Rajahmundry (Andhra Pradesh) in March, 2022 through SZCC where a large  number  of  folk  &  tribal  artists  including  local  artists  from  all  over  India  were engaged to showcase their talents in order to spread awareness about rich culture of the country amongst the masses and youth.

- (c) At present, there is no such proposal under consideration.

&

(d)

- (e) At present, there is no such proposal under consideration.

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