Parliament Question: Impact of redevelopment projects on Historical and Heritage Values

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1371 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 IMPACT OF REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ON HISTORICAL AND HERITAGE VALUES 1371. SHRI SUKHDEO BHAGAT: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has undertaken any assessment of the impact of large-scale redevelopment projects under the Central Vista and other urban infrastructure schemes on the historical character and heritage value of nationally protected monuments and precincts; (b) if so, the details and findings thereof; (c) whether any recommendations of heritage experts, conservation architects or statutory heritage bodies were modified or rejected during the planning and execution of such projects; and (d) the details of the measures taken by the Government to ensure that future redevelopment projects do not compromise the authenticity and cultural significance of heritage sites? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) Project-specific proposals are examined under the statutory provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958 and the Rules made thereunder, wherever applicable. Environmental, planning, architectural and other statutory assessments are undertaken by the respective project implementing agencies and competent authorities. No separate consolidated assessment specifically covering the impact of the Central Vista and other urban infrastructure projects on the historical character and heritage value of all centrally protected monuments and precincts has been undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India. The redevelopment proposals under the Central Vista Project were examined by the Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC) and the requisite NOC from HCC was obtained for the redevelopment projects.(b) The requisite NOC obtained from the Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC) is enclosed as Annexure-I. (c) No specific information is available in the records of the Archaeological Survey of India regarding modification or rejection of the recommendations of heritage experts, conservation architects or statutory heritage bodies in relation to the Central Vista redevelopment project. (d) The protection of centrally protected monuments is ensured through the statutory provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958 and the Rules made thereunder. As per Sections 20A and 20B of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958(AMASR Act), a uniform 100 meter Prohibited Area and 200 meter Regulated Area have been prescribed around all protected monuments and protected areas (sites). The AMASR Act provides provision for prior permission for carrying out any repair or renovation of any building or structure located within the Regulated Area of a protected monument and protected areas (sites). Such works are governed under the existing statutory framework.Annexure I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1371 FOR 27.07.2026.-----