Lok Sabha Question No. 3669 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-08
Subject: Protection of Historical Shrine of Shiva
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., T. RADHAKRISHNAN, SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, SUDHEER GUPTA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3669 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8.8.2016 SHRAVANA 17, 1938 (SAKA)

## PROTECTION OF HISTORICAL SHRINE OF SHIVA

## 3669. KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note that Koti Lingala, the historical temple shrine  of  Lord  Shiva  as  well  as  the  first  capital  city  of  Satavahana  dynasty, located on the shores of river Godavari is on the verge of submergence with the backwaters of the Sripada Yellampalli project touching the temple shrine;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government has alerted residents to vacate the village and move to the relief and rehabilitation sites and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to send an expert team to inspect and protect the historical shrine of Lord Shiva; and
- (e) if so, the details and the outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

## (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) Koti Lingala, a temple shrine of Lord Shiva and site are not protected monuments of National importance under Archaeological Survey of India. However, as per the information received from Department of Archaeology and Museum, Government of  Telengana, survey numbers 114, 116, 125, 128, 129, 131, 133 and 134 and two  Stupas  at  the  entrance  of  Kotilingala  and  fortification  wall  and  Sivalyam  at Kotilingala are the protected monuments under them and the Shiva Temple is not submerging in the back waters  of  Sri  Pada  Yellampally  Project.  But,  the  water level touches the toe of temple mound.
- (b) Detailed  report  received  from  Executive  Engineer,  I  &  CADD  Department  , Division No. 1 of Sri Pada Yellampally Project dated 24.01.2015 is at Annexure-I.
- (c) Under  para  5.1,  Chapter  V  of  R&R  Policy,  Kotilingala  village  is  declared  as project  affected  village  under  Rehabilitation  policy  2005,  vide  GO  Ms  No.  53 I&CADD (LA-IV-R&R I) dated 7.3.2006 and notified vide A.P. Gazette No. 186, dated 4.4.2006.

- (d)& (e) Yes,  Madam,  the  Department  of  Archaeology  and  Museum,  Government  of Telengana  has  conducted  joint  inspection  along  with  Superintending  Engineer, I&CADD, Sri Pada Yellampally Project Circle, Mancherial, Adilabad District and report  submitted  to  the  Government  dated  24.02.2015.  (Copy  of  report  is enclosed as Annexure-II).  The proposals for shifting of temples, loose sculptures, conducting excavations  in  the  submergible  villages  under  Sri  Pada  Yellampally Project across river Godavari to a tune of Rs.375.00 lakhs vide letter No.H2/293/2014, dated 26.11.2014. As per the information from Department of Archaeology and Museum, Government of Telengana, proposals for master plan is being prepared for 11.00 crores for conservation of structures, excavations and land acquisition. Further, the Department  of  Archaeology  and  Museum, Government of Telengana has addressed a letter to District Collector, Karimnagar  dated  13.5.2016  (Copy  enclosed  as  Annexure  -  III)  regarding transfer of lands in favour of Department  of  Archaeology  and  Museum, Government of Telengana.