Parliament Question: ASI Approval for Excavations in Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4952 ANSWERED ON-23.03.2026 ASI APPROVAL FOR EXCAVATIONS IN TAMIL NADU

4952. THIRU DAYANIDHI MARAN:

SHRI K E PRADASH:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a) the present status of the proposals submitted by State Government of Tamil Nadu in July 2025 seeking permission from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to undertake or continue archaeological excavations at eight sites including Keeladi/Keezhadi Adichanallur and Nagapattinam and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the said proposals have been pending with ASI, if so, the reasons for the delay in granting permission for the said excavations even after the meeting held under the Director General of ASI in November 2025;

(c) whether any scientific, technical or procedural objections have been raised by ASI with respect to the excavation proposals submitted by the State Government of Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government is aware that the excavation season in Tamil Nadu runs from January to July and the delay in granting permissions would result in missing the current fieldwork window and consequent delay in archaeological research; and

(e) whether any assessment of the potential impact of delays in excavation approvals has been undertaken and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (c) To undertake or continue archaeological excavations at eight sites including Keeladi/Keezhadi, Adichanallur and Nagapattinam permissions have already been issued by the Central Government to Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu.

(d) and (e) The Archaeological Survey of India conducts quarterly meeting, to examine the excavation proposals received from State Departments of Archaeology, Universities and Research Institutions for timely issuing the permission.

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