Lok Sabha Question No. 238 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Preservation of Historical Sites in Kotilingala
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Vamsi Krishna Gaddam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION  NO. * 238.

ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL SITES IN KOTILINGALA

## 238. SHRI VAMSI KRISHNA GADDAM

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to preserve the ancient Satavahana-era artifacts discovered at Kotilingala and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the funds allocated and utilised for excavation, preservation and conservation of archaeological remains in Kotilingala during the last five years and the current year;
- (c) the details of the measures taken/being taken to promote Kotilingala as a historical tourism site,  including  details  of  infrastructure  development,  signage,  accessibility  and  awareness campaigns by the Government or allied agencies; and
- (d) the  role  and  involvement  of  the  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  in  preserving  and protecting the cultural, religious and historical significance of the Kotilingala site?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the table of the House

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 238 FOR 09.03.2025.RAISED BY SHRI VAMSI KRISHNA GADDAM: HON'BLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT REGARDING PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL SITES IN KOTILINGALA

- (a) The Kotilingala site is under the protection of the Department of Heritage, Telangana. The department  has  conducted  excavation  at  Kotilingala  during  the  year  1979-1983  and unearthed structures like Chaitya Grihas, Vihara Complex, brick structures and antiquities include  coins,  pottery,  iron  objects,  beads  of  semi-precious  stones  and  terracotta,  shell bangles, inscriptions, etc., that are preserved by the department.
- (b) The  Department  of  Heritage,  Telangana  has  not  allocated  any  fund  for  excavation, preservation, and conservation of archaeological remains in Kotilingala during the last five years and the current year.
- (c) The  department  has  published  a  report  on  Kotilingala  excavation  1979-1983  and  has brought publication on  Kotilingala coins.  It  has  also  conducted  guest  lecturers,  seminars, especially  on  Kotilingala.  To  create  the  awareness,  the  department  has  displayed  the unearth antiquities at District Archaeological  Museum,  Karimnagar,  and  Centenary Archaeological Museum and Directorate Office, Gunfoundry, Hyderabad. The  Department  of  Heritage,  Telangana,  has  provided  infrastructure  development  work near Sri Sundareshwara Swami Temple adjoining to the Kotilingala site.
- (d) The  Kotilingala  is  not  declared  as  of  national  importance  and  hence  the  Archaeological Survey of India is not involved in its maintenance. Being  protected by the Department of Heritage, Telangana, the department is preserving and protecting the cultural, religious, and historical significance of the site.

*****