Parliament Question: Conservation of Protected Monuments in Tiruchirappalli and Pudukkottai

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3529 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 CONSERVATION OF PROTECTED MONUMENTS IN TIRUCHIRAPPALLI AND PUDUKKOTTAI

3529. SHRI DURAI VAIKO:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has undertaken any assessment of the condition of Archaeological Survey of lndia (ASI)-protected monuments in Tiruchirappalli and Pudukkottai districts, TamiI Nadu;

(b) the details of conservation, restoration, maintenance and infrastructure development works undertaken by the ASI in the said districts during the last three years, along with the funds allocated and utilised;

(c) whether any proposals for conservation, structural restoration, visitor amenities, interpretation centres or heritage tourism development in the said districts are pending with the Ministry or the ASI;

(d) if so, the details alongwith present status thereof; and

(e) the details of steps taken/ being taken by the Government to strengthen the preservation, promotion and sustainable tourism potential of ASI-protected monuments in the said districts? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) There are 412 Centrally Protected Monuments and Sites in the State of Tamil Nadu including 114 Centrally Protected Monuments in the Tiruchirappalli and Pudukkottai districts under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). All these Protected Monuments are inspected by the officers of ASI periodically to assess their condition.

(b) The details of conservation, maintenance and development works undertaken by the ASI in Tiruchirappalli and Pudukkottai districts of Tamil Nadu State, during the last three years are attached at Annexure-I.

The details of funds allocated and expenditure incurred on the conservation works of protected monuments in the State of Tamil Nadu, including these districts, during the last three years are given as under.

(Amount Rs. Crore) S. No. Year Allocation Expenditure

1. 2023-24 22.50 22.50

2. 2024-25 18.95 18.94

3. 2025-26 16.60 16.60(c) No such proposal is pending with the ASI. &

(d)

(e) ASI undertakes conservation of these Monuments and sites as per the National Policy of Conservation, 2014. The periodical condition assessments and day to day maintenance of these monuments and sites are carried out on regular basis as per the requirement and availability of resources.

ASI promotes heritage awareness on the occasion of World heritage Day, World Heritage Week, Museum Day, International Yoga Day and other such type of occasions/events.

Further, Ministry of Tourism promotes tourism in a holistic manner, including cultural and heritage tourism. The promotions are undertaken through several initiatives such as organizing tourism promotional events held in association with tourism stakeholders, digital promotion through social media handles in collaboration with social media influencers and showcasing the tourism destinations and products through the Incredible India Digital portal.Annexure – I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3529 FOR 10.08.2026.

The details of conservation, preservation, maintenance and development works undertaken by the ASI in Tiruchirappalli and Pudukkottai districts, TamiI Nadu.

S. Name of the temple/Monument District Type of Work description No. intervention

1. Ruined Jain temple, Chettipatty. Pudukkottai Conservation Documenting lifting and stacking of fallen (2023-2024) stones, architectural members fragments of stones and accumulated deposits

2. The rock-cut Siva shrine, Pudukkottai Development Vegetation clearance, earthwork excavation, Devarmalai. (2023-24), works sand filling, laying PCC, construction of RR (2024-25) and (2025-26) stone footing/dwarf wall and pointing the stone joints

3. SoundararajaPerumalTemple, Pudukkottai Conservation Water tightening and providing apron around Irumbanadu. (2023-24) the structure.

4. Uttamadaniswara temple, Pudukkottai Development Vegetation clearance, earthwork excavation, Kilattaniyam, (2023-24) works sand filling, laying PCC, construction of RR stone footing/dwarf wall and pointing the stone joints.

5. The Rock-cut Siva temple and car Pudukkottai Conservation Water tightening the terrace. mantapam with wheels in the front part of the plinth, Kunnandarkoil, (2023-24) and (2025-26)

6. Rajendracolisvaram Temple, Pudukkottai Conservation Repairing the damaged madras terrace roof, Ponamaravati (2023-24), (2024- plastering the terrace and wall and painting

25) and (2025-26) the wall.

7. Siva Temple, Tennangudi, (2023- Pudukkottai Conservation Reconstruction of damaged/ dislocated

24) prakara wall, Plastering work.

8. The Rock-cut Siva Temple, Pudukkottai Conservation Water tightening the terrace.

Satyagiriswara shrine, Tirumayam, (2023-24) and (2024-

25)

9. The Rock-cut Vishnu Temple, Pudukkottai Conservation Water tightening the terrace.

Satyamurti shrine, Tirumayam, (2023-24) and (2024-25)

10. The Stone and brick fort., Pudukkottai Conservation Disposal of accumulated earth, reconstruction Tirumayam, (2023-24) of fortification wall, surface dressing and documentation.

11. The whole of the Siva Temple and Pudukkottai Conservation Water tightening, mending and strengthening the inscribed stone in the front the broken stucco, lime pining/toning up the mantapam, Ammankurichi (2024- vimana surface.

25)

12. Remains of Aivar kovil, Pudukkottai Development Dwarf wall and fencing works Kodumbalur (2024-25) and (2025- works

26)

13. Erumbeswarar Temple, Trichy Conservation Water tightening, Lime pinning/toning, de- Thiruverumbur (2024-25) and plastering, stucco work, flooring works etc., (2025-26)

14. Uttamanathaswami Siva temple, Kiranur, Conservation Stone flooring work and fixing MS grill Kiranur (2025-26) Pudukkottai and Development works

15. Siva Temple., Nirpalani, (2025- Pudukkottai Conservation Providing apron all around the temple

26) structure.16. Fort gateway, Trichy (2025-26) Trichy Development Railing,grill fencing, relaying undulated works flooring, retaining wall, etc,

17. UPHA to various monuments Both Trichy Development RO drinking water facilities, stone under Trichy sub-circle (2025-26) and works benches,CNB, PNB, DNB, Dustbins, etc.

Pudukkottai

18. Jain Temple site., Pudukkottai Conservation Exposing the original plinth level by Mangathevanpatti, removing the accumulated earth, providing (2023-24) apron around the structure and plastering works.

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