Lok Sabha Question No. 5832 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Heritage Monuments and Archaeological Sites in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Malaiyarasan D

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5832

ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026

## HERITAGE MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN TAMIL NADU

## 5832. SHRI MALAIYARASAN D:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details  of  total  number  of  heritage  monuments  and  archaeological  sites  in  Tamil  Nadu currently protected and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  any  recent  assessment  or  survey  to  evaluate  the conservation  status,  structural  stability,  and  maintenance  requirements  of  these  protected monuments;
- (c) the  details  of  total  funds  allocated  and  utilized  for  the  restoration,  conservation  and preservation of heritage structures during the last three years, including projects undertaken under various heritage conservation programmes; and
- (d) the details of steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote cultural heritage tourism at  lesser-known  heritage  sites,  including  initiatives  for  improving  visitor  facilities,  digital documentation,  public  awareness  campaigns  and  collaboration  with  State  Governments  to enhance accessibility and sustainable tourism development across the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) There are 412 protected monuments and protected areas in the State of Tamil Nadu under the care and maintenance of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
- (b) Periodic  inspections  are  carried  out  by  the  officials  of  ASI  to  assess  the  condition  of  the monuments and sites. Accordingly, conservation measures are taken up subject to availability of resources, following the National Conservation Policy, 2014.
- (c) Details of the funds allocated and expenditure incurred on conservation and maintenance of 3686 protected monuments and protected areas in the country, during the last three years  are as under:

(Amount Rupees in crores)

| Year    |   Allocation |   Expenditure |
|---------|--------------|---------------|
| 2022-23 |       392.71 |        391.93 |
| 2023-24 |       443.53 |        443.53 |
| 2024-25 |       313.43 |        313.04 |

- (d) Tourist facilities are provided as per the requirement and feasibility at the different protected monuments and protected areas which also includes World Heritage properties in the country including  Tamil  Nadu.  Further,  amenities  like  drinking  water,  toilets  and  facilities  like benches,  pathways,  wheel  chairs,  ramps,  signages,  Braille  signages,  etc.  are  provided  at ticketed and World Heritage Monuments.  Providing such facilities and upgrading them is a continuous  phenomenon.  In  addition  to promote  cultural heritage cultural  awareness programmes like heritage

walk, exhibitions, street play, drawing competitions, etc. are organized on various occasions like World Heritage Day, World Heritage Week, International Museums Day, Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti, etc. involving school and college students and general public.  Further,  as  per  mandate  of  National  Mission  on  Monuments  Antiquity  (NMMA) workshops  are  conducted  regularly  in  various  regions  to  raise  awareness  and  training programs are organised for universities, colleges, NGOs, and other interested organizations, in  coordination  with  field  offices  of  ASI  and  the  State-Level  Implementation  Committees (SLIC) in each State to speed up the documentation work.

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