Parliament Question: Development of Shri Siddheshwar Devasthan, Solapur

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2686 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 DEVELOPMENT OF SHRI SIDDHESHWAR DEVASTHAN, SOLAPUR 2686. MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that Shri Siddheshwar Devasthan at Solapur, is under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and pending permissions from ASI have delayed sanctioned development works; (b) whether the Government has received any proposal from the State Government of Maharashtra for carrying out development works under the Ujjani Water Tourism Development Scheme, and if so, the reasons for non-utilisation of the sanctioned five crore fund; (c) the details of the steps taken or proposed by the ASI to grant administrative approval or supervise the development works, in consultation with the Public Works Department of Maharashtra; and (d) the timeline by which the approved development works at Shri Siddheshwar Devasthan are expected to commence keeping in view the cultural and religious significance of the site ANSWER THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) The Old Temple of Sri Sidheshwar (enclosed in a paved court, locally known as Shri Siddheshwar Devasthan) located at Machnur, District Solapur is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Further, at present there is no proposal pending with the ASI for developmental works at the temple. (b)& No such proposal has been received by ASI from the Government of Maharashtra for (c) carrying out developmental works under the Ujjani Water Tourism Development Scheme. (d) Question does not arise. *****