Question : Revenue Loss during Lockdown

(a) whether the UNESCO world heritage sites and ASI protected monuments were closed for a number of days with the imposing of lockdown 2.0 in various parts of the country due to Covid-19 situation;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the amount of revenue loss incurred as a result thereof;

(d) whether any steps have been taken to improve the facilities for the visiting public in the heritage sites/monuments to increase the footfall, if so, the details thereof, monument-wise and if not, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the Government has increased the daily entry limit/ticket sales in the monuments; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION

(SHRI G.KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (f) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 85 FOR 26.07.2021

(a)&(b) The Centrally protected monuments including Centrally protected World Heritage Sites were closed for a period of 61 days (from 16.4.2021 to 15.6.2021) during lockdown 2.0 in view of Covid-19 situation.

(c) The estimated loss of revenue due to closing of ticketed monuments in view of imposing of lockdown 2.0 (Covid-19 situation) is Approx. Rs.35.40 crores, the calculation is based on revenue lost due to lack of sales of tickets.

(d) Providing basic facilities/amenities like drinking water, toilets, facilities for physically challenged, pathways, signage, vehicle parking, cloak rooms, etc. at centrally protected monuments/sites including improvement threof is a regular phenomenon, which Archaeological Survey of India(ASI) undertakes, as per requirements. Such facilities are available at ASI’s World Heritage Sites, centrally protected ticketed monuments and other monuments visited by tourists.
The monument-wise details are available at https://asi.nic.in/facilities-at-monument/

(e)&(f) There is no limit on entry of visitors/ticket sales imposed during lockdown 2.0. Where ever the monuments are located SoP of concerned State Government are followed.