This is an unstarred question, No. 1254, to be answered on 08.12.2025 in the Lok Sabha regarding the cultural preservation of archaeological sites in Puducherry. Shri Ve Vaithilingam asks the Minister of Culture whether the Government has noted that Puducherry lacks a comprehensive cultural preservation program despite its French colonial heritage and deteriorating heritage sites, and if so, the details of projects proposed under the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities. The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, responds that there are 7 centrally protected monuments/sites under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Puducherry Union Territory. Conservation, preservation and maintenance of these sites are ongoing processes depending on requirements and resource availability and are in good state of preservation. There are no projects proposed under the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities in Puducherry.
Key Entities Referenced
Puducherry: Union Territory with heritage sites, subject of the cultural preservation question.
Ministry of Culture: The Ministry responsible for answering the question regarding cultural preservation.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): The agency responsible for maintaining protected monuments in Puducherry.
National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities: A scheme referenced in the question regarding projects for conservation.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1254
TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
CULTURAL PRESERVATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES OF PUDUCHERRY
1254. SHRI VE VAITHILINGAM:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken note of the fact that Puducherry, a Union Territory
with French colonial heritage still lacks a comprehensive cultural preservation
programme for conserving its heritage buildings, archaeological remains and Indo-French
architectural sites many of which are deteriorating due to neglect, urban encroachment
and inadequate restoration efforts;
(b) if so, the details of projects proposed under the National Mission on Monuments and
Antiquities; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) There are 07 nos. of centrally protected monuments/sites under the jurisdiction of
to Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Puducherry Union Territory. Conservation,
(c) preservation and maintenance of these centrally protected monuments/sites is a
continuous process and is taken up as per the requirement and availability of resources.
All the monuments are in a good state of preservation. There are no projects proposed
under the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities in Puducherry.
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