Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Culture addressed a question regarding the conservation, promotion, and development of historical and cultural sites in Meerut. The response details schemes run by the government for conservation and tourism development, including financial allocations and project status. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) handles the conservation of nationally important monuments, while the Tourism Department of Uttar Pradesh manages tourism development projects.
Key Points / Main Content:
Conservation and Preservation:
* There are 8 ancient monuments and archaeological sites of national importance in Meerut, protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
* The ASI undertakes their conservation, preservation, and annual maintenance, including environmental presentation, based on fund availability.
* Upkeep of protected monuments and sites is a continuous process.
* Amenities like drinking water, toilets, pathways, WiFi, cafeteria, interpretation centers and signage are provided based on need and resource availability.
Tourism Development Schemes (Swadesh Darshan Scheme SD1.0):
* Two sanctioned projects under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme SD1.0:
* Development of Spiritual Circuit (Bijnor-Meerut-Kanpur Dehat-Banda-Ghazipur-Salempur-Ghosi-Balia-Ambedkar Nagar-Aligarh-Fatehpur-Deoria-Mahoba-Sonbhadra-Chandausi-Mishrikh-Bhadohi).
* Development of Heritage Circuit (Kalinjar Fort Banda Maghar Dham Sant Kabir Nagar Chauri Chaura, Shaheed Sthal Fathepur Mauhar Sthal Ghosi Shaheed Smarak Meerut).
* The Spiritual Circuit project was sanctioned for Rs. 67.51 crore in 2016-17.
* The Heritage Circuit project was sanctioned for Rs. 36.65 crore in 2016-17.
Tourism Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh Projects in Meerut:
* Tourism development of Nauchandi Temple.
* Beautification of Martyrs Memorial in Bhamouri and construction of a museum.
* Tourism development of the Pandeswar Mahadev temple in Pooth Khas.
* Tourism development of 1857 revolution sites and Martyrs Memorial in Meerut.
* Tourism development at Sardhana Church in Meerut.
* Integrated tourism development of Hastinapur, Meerut.
* The sanctioned budget for these projects is Rs. 2848.61 lakhs.
ASI Conservation Programme:
* ASI undertakes conservation and maintenance through an annual conservation program.
* Provision for conservation and maintenance for the current year: Rs. 112 lakhs.
* Expenditure up to 15.07.2025: Rs. 11.39 lakhs.
Impact Analysis:
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI):
* Impact: Responsible for the conservation, preservation, and maintenance of nationally important monuments and archaeological sites in Meerut.
* Action Required: Continue to undertake conservation activities as per the availability of funds and resources and Maintain upkeep.
Tourism Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh:
* Impact: Responsible for tourism development projects in Meerut, including specific sites and circuits.
* Action Required: Continue implementation of sanctioned tourism development projects.
Local Communities and Tourists:
* Impact: Benefit from improved infrastructure and amenities at historical and cultural sites, leading to enhanced tourism experiences.
* Action Required: Utilize the provided facilities responsibly and engage with the cultural heritage.
Ministry of Culture:
* Impact: Oversees and provides funding for the conservation and tourism development efforts in Meerut.
* Action Required: Continue to allocate resources and monitor the progress of ongoing projects.
Key Entities Referenced
Meerut district: A historically and culturally rich district in Uttar Pradesh, India, known for its ancient temples, role in the 1857 revolution, and traditional craftsmanship.
Archaeological Survey of India ASI: The primary organization in India responsible for the conservation, preservation, and maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites.
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958: An Indian law providing for the preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme SD1.0: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits.
Spiritual Circuit: A tourism circuit under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme including Bijnor, Meerut, Kanpur Dehat, Banda, Ghazipur, Salempur, Ghosi, Balia, Ambedkar Nagar, Aligarh, Fatehpur, Deoria, Mahoba, Sonbhadra, Chandausi, Mishrikh, and Bhadohi.
Heritage Circuit: A tourism circuit under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme including Kalinjar Fort, Banda, Maghar Dham, Sant Kabir Nagar, Chauri Chaura, Shaheed Sthal Fathepur, Mauhar Sthal Ghosi, and Shaheed Smarak Meerut.
Government of Uttar Pradesh: The state government responsible for various tourism development projects in Meerut.
Hastinapur, Meerut: A site in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, undergoing integrated tourism development.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4097
ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025
CONSERVATION OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SITES IN MEERUT
†4097. SHRI ARUN GOVIL:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that Meerut district is historically and culturally very rich and land of the
first revolution of 1857 and having many ancient temples, memories related to the freedom
struggle, archaeological sites and other cultural heritage as well as Meerut's traditional
craftsmanship, handicrafts and sports culture also have their own unique identity in the country
and abroad;
(b) if so, the details of the schemes being run or proposed to be run by the Government to
conserve, promote and develop the historical and cultural sites located in Meerut district as
tourist destinations; and
(c) the details of the schemes, the sanctioned budget and the current status of their
implementation?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a)& There are 08 ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains declared as of National
(b) importance in the district Meerut under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and
Remains Act, 1958. Their conservation, preservation and annual maintenance including
environmental presentation are taken up by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as per the
requirement considering availability of funds and resources. Further, upkeep and maintenance
of the protected monuments and sites is a continuous process. Further, amenities like drinking
water, toilets, pathways, ramps, etc., besides facilities like Wi-Fi, cafeteria, interpretation
centre, signage, etc. are provided based on requirement and availability of resources.
For tourism destination under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SD1.0) there are two sanctioned
projects namely:-
(i) Development of Spiritual Circuit: Bijnor-Meerut-Kanpur Dehat- Banda-Ghazipur-
Salempur-Ghosi-Balia-Ambedkar Nagar-Aligarh-Fatehpur-Deoria-Mahoba-Sonbhadra-
Chandausi-Mishrikh-Bhadohi.
(ii)Development of Heritage Circuit: Kalinjar Fort (Banda)- Maghar Dham (Sant Kabir
Nagar)- Chauri Chaura, Shaheed Sthal (Fathepur)- Mauhar Sthal (Ghosi)– Shaheed Smarak
(Meerut).
--(c) Details of tourism schemes under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SD1.0) and sanctioned
budget are as under:
(i) Development of Spiritual Circuit: Bijnor-Meerut-Kanpur Dehat- Banda-Ghazipur-
Salempur-Ghosi-Balia-Ambedkar Nagar-Aligarh-Fatehpur-Deoria-Mahoba-Sonbhadra-
Chandausi-Mishrikh-Bhadohi sanctioned for Rs. 67.51 crore in 2016-17
(ii) Development of Heritage Circuit: Kalinjar Fort (Banda)- Maghar Dham (Sant Kabir
Nagar)- Chauri Chaura, Shaheed Sthal (Fathepur)- Mauhar Sthal (Ghosi)– Shaheed Smarak
(Meerut), sanctioned for Rs. 36.65 crore in 2016-17.
In addition to above, list of projects of Tourism Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, in
district Meerut is as under:-
1. Tourism development of Nauchandi Temple.
2.Beautification of Martyr’s Memorial established in memory of Martyrs in village Bhamouri
and construction of museum.
3. Tourism development work of the very ancient Pandeswar Mahadev temple, in village
Pooth Khas.
4. Tourism development work of the sites of 1857 revolution in Meerut and Martyr’s
Memorial in Meerut.
5. Tourism development work at Sardhana Church in Meerut.
6. Integrated tourism development work of Hastinapur, Meerut.
The sanctioned budget for above works (1 to 6) is Rs. 2848.61 lakhs.
For conservation of protected monuments, thought there is no scheme, conservation and
maintenance related works are taken up by the ASI through annual conservation programme.
Provision for conservation and maintenance of these monuments for the current year and
expenditure is as under:
Provision: 112 lakhs
Expenditure: 11.39 lakhs (up to 15.07.2025)
*****