Restriction on construction near monuments

The total number of cases where construction activities were allowed within the regulated areas of centrally protected monuments in the country was 1709 in 2014, 1015 in 2013 and 1014 in 2012.

3685 monument/sites declared as of National importance are conserved, preserved by the Archeological Survey of India.

Archaeological Survey of India has proposed to amend the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010 and has started the process of reviewing the Act.

As per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment & Validation) Act, 2010, and Rules framed thereunder, persons having buildings or houses in the prohibited area (100 metres from protected monuments) of any Centrally -protected monument may undertake repairs and renovation after obtaining permission from the Competent Authority on the recommendation of the National Monuments Authority. Further, in case of regulated area (200 metres further beyond prohibited area) the persons may undertake construction, reconstruction, repairs and renovation only after obtaining permission from the Competent Authority on the recommendation of National Monuments Authority.

This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge), Tourism (Independent Charge), and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply to an unstarred question to the Lok Sabha.

NB/NK/PB