Rs 120 crore earmarked for monument upkeep

India will be spending over Rs 120 crore this year for the upkeep of historical monuments, including constructing public amenities, to make the sites more tourist-friendly, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.

India will be spending over Rs 120 crore this year for the upkeep of historical monuments, including constructing public amenities, to make the sites more tourist-friendly, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.

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Minister of State for Planning and Parliamentary Affairs V Narayanasamy said maintaining and developing the environs and creating tourist-related amenities at centrally-protected monuments are undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The minister said during 2009-10 the ASI, the apex body to conserve and maintain 3,675 centrally-protected monuments in the country, spent Rs 153 crore for their upkeep.

In 2007-08, the government spent Rs 128 crore, while Rs 134 crore was spent in 2008-09.

The government this year is focussing more on building public amenities and beautifying the environs around monuments to attract more tourists during the Commonwealth Games Oct 3-14.

Many of the monuments, especially in the Indian capital, will be lighted up during the nights.