Thaindian News

New Delhi, Aug 4 (IANS) Over Rs.3 crore has been spent this year for conserving and maintaining historical monuments in the capital as it prepares for the Commonwealth Games beginning Oct 3, the Lok Sabha was informed Wednesday.
Of the 46 such protected monuments in Delhi, work has been completed in 28, Minister of State for Planning and Parliamentary Affairs V. Narayanasamy said in a written reply.

“…for the remaining ones it will be over by middle of September 2010,” the minister said.

Narayanasamy said that “conservation and maintenance work of monuments is a continuous process and it is being done in a normal way throughout the country including at Delhi, where 46 monuments have been identified for conservation and development in a specific manner, in view of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.”

The minister said that while last year around Rs.11 crore was spent to maintain these monuments till July, this year so far they have spent over Rs.3 crore.

Among the monuments that are being maintained include the Red Fort, Jantar Mantar, Safdarjung Tomb and Qutub Minar complex.

He added that the maintenance and upkeep work is attended to regularly at these monuments to ensure cleanliness. “Basic tourist facilities at all major monuments have been provided,” he added.

He also said the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the apex body that protects and maintains historical monuments in India, is also considering solar lighting at Jantar Mantar, Purana Qila, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb and Safdarjung’s Tomb.

The New and Renewable Energy Ministry will be providing financial and technical help in lighting all these historical monuments in Delhi, he added.

Narayanasamy denied that UNESCO has disapproved solar lighting of Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun Tomb - all World Heritage Sites.