New Delhi: Three months after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed to develop 15 archaeological sites across the country in the Union Budget, the Archaeological Survey of India has approved constructing several new museums at the proposed sites.
“The new museums will be built at Lothal, Chittorgarh, Udaigiri, Adhichinallur, Jhansi, and Dholavira, which is part of the development of these sites,” an official from the ASI said. The sites include Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) sites and Buddhist sites, among others.
At present, there are 52 site museums under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Vasant Swarnakar, regional director (North), ASI, said the development is part of the central government’s DESH (Development and Enhancement of Sanskritik-Sampada and Heritage) scheme.
“We have invited bids for the work at the 15 sites. The estimated amount for the project is around Rs 1,481 crore,” said Swarnakar, adding that work will start once the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of each site is complete.
The DESH scheme covers sites such as Adichanallur in Tamil Nadu, Sarnath, Jhansi and Hastinapur in Uttar Pradesh, Udaygiri and Sannati in Karnataka, Agroha and Rakhigarhi in Haryana, Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan, Eran in Madhya Pradesh, Sibsagar in Assam, Purana Qila in Delhi, Lothal and Dholavira in Gujarat and Leh Palace in Ladakh.
“There will be no uniformity in the development plans of these 15 sites. All sites will be developed as per their needs,” Swarnakar said, adding that at Leh Palace, where there is no scope for work inside the Fort, they have proposed building amenities such as parking facilities.
The ASI has a plan for expanding the Purana Qila site museum. Swarnakar, who has excavated Purana Qila multiple times, said the remains are currently buried, but they plan to display them.
“We will make the arrangement of tensile shade at the excavated site of Purana Qila so that people can explore it,” he said.
The Sarnath site museum will be expanded as well, with digitised content, and the Rakhigarhi site will feature an interpretation centre, a specialised facility that uses interactive, multimedia, and pedagogical tools to explain the site’s significance, history, and context to visitors.
ASI will spend around Rs 38 crore on Leh Palace, the least among all sites, and a maximum of Rs 240 crore on Lothal.
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Opening excavated sites to public
In her budget speech on 1 February, Sitharaman proposed developing the sites into vibrant, experiential cultural destinations.
Under the DESH scheme, excavated sites such as Rakhigarhi, Purana Qila, and Adichanalur will be opened to the public to engage them with the past.
“Excavated landscapes will be opened to the public through curated walkways,” said Sitharaman.
ASI Director General YS Rawat earlier told ThePrint that opening the excavation sites to the public will be a new experience for archaeology enthusiasts.
“Previously, excavation sites were limited to books, but now they will be accessible to the general public,” said Rawat.
The government has set a five-year timeline for the completion of this project.
“After executing, this will help to boost tourism, footfall will increase and create local employment,” said Swarnakar.
(Edited by Saptak Datta)