ASI chief initiates efforts to renew conservation tasks after the pandemic pause

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected heritage websites throughout the states are more likely to witness frenzied conservation efforts after two years hole because the agency–national watchdog for over 3,600 historic constructions together with monuments and forts–has kick-started an train to place restoration or preservation plans again on monitor. Several ongoing tasks had come to halt and lots of proposals have been put in abeyance due to the coronavirus pandemic outbreak in March 2020.

The director-general (D-G) of the Survey V Vidyavathi has been assembly the officers main conservation tasks in Circles (sub-offices in states) to know points serving as impediments. Senior officers, aware of the matter, mentioned that Vidyavathi is especially specializing in unspent funds allotted to varied Circles.  

“A series of meetings of different departments are taking place to know conservation plans to be taken up in the next financial year. The D-G has already had a meeting with conservation architects (CAs), superintendent archaeologists (SAs) and engineers from all states in Delhi last week. Soon she will meet assistant archaeologists, assistant SAs and others. One of the main issues is the budget given to sub-offices, which is not completely exhausted and hence returned. D-G is of the opinion that once a budget is allocated, it should be effectively used on conservation and the creation of facilities for the visitors. The officials are giving a presentation on what they plan to do in this financial year,” mentioned an official, requesting anonymity.

According to the tradition ministry, Rs 406.37 and Rs 435.60 have been allotted for the conservation and maintenance of ASI heritage websites positioned in several states in 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively and the company managed to almost exhaust its finances. It spent Rs 405.02 crore in 2018-19 and Rs 435.38 crore in 2019-20. The finances of ASI in 2020-21 and 2021-22 drastically dropped to Rs 260.90 and Rs 270 crore to the Covid pandemic respectively. Expenditure in 2020-21 was Rs 260.83 crore and Rs 251.76 crore in 2021-22.

“Because of the Covid pandemic, projects are pending. This was the concern. The D-G sought to know why conservation was at a standstill. We have told her that due to the pandemic, tendering could not be initiated and moreover, labourers were not available therefore all work at monuments had stopped,” mentioned an official, who attended the assembly with the D-G.