Pune: Heritage Structures Get Steady Conservation Boost; ASI Spends ₹388.15 Lakh in Three Years
Pune: Heritage Structures Get Steady Conservation Boost; ASI Spends ₹388.15 Lakh in Three Years
Pune, December 5, 2025: The Ministry of Culture has highlighted major conservation efforts undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Maharashtra, with Pune’s iconic heritage structures receiving consistent maintenance and preservation support over the past three years.
Pune is home to three nationally protected monuments — Shaniwarwada, Aga Khan Palace, and Pataleshwar Cave Temple — all maintained by the ASI. The expenditure incurred on their upkeep over the last three years is as follows:
Expenditure on Pune Monuments (Amount in Lakhs)
| Year | Expenditure (in Lakhs) |
|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 159.87 |
| 2023-24 | 139.27 |
| 2024-25 | 89.01 |
Across Maharashtra, ASI operates through three circle offices — Aurangabad, Mumbai, and Nagpur. In 2024–25, these circles recorded the following fund utilisation:
- Aurangabad Circle: ₹5.20 crore allocated; ₹5.16 crore utilised.
- Mumbai Circle: ₹12.58 crore allocated; ₹12.56 crore utilised.
- Nagpur Circle: Entire allocated ₹6.80 crore utilised.
India currently has 3,685 Centrally Protected Monuments and Sites, including those in Maharashtra. Their conservation and restoration activities are taken up based on necessity and available resources, in line with the National Policy for Conservation.
At present, there is no proposal to involve local educational institutions or civic bodies in conservation projects. However, students and schools are regularly engaged through ASI’s heritage awareness programs during World Heritage Week, World Heritage Day, and other key occasions.
For the protection of heritage sites, ASI posts Multi-Tasking Staff for watch and ward duties. Additionally, several prominent monuments are guarded by private security personnel and CISF units. Officials also conduct periodic inspections to ensure proper upkeep.
These details were shared in a written reply by Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the Rajya Sabha.
