**Executive Summary**
This report, dated December 4, 2025, outlines the conservation efforts undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for monuments in Maharashtra, with a focus on Pune. It details the expenditure incurred on the conservation of specific monuments over the past three years (2022-2025). It also describes the availability of resources as per the National Policy for Conservation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Pune Monuments:**
* ASI maintains and conserves three ancient monuments of national importance in Pune: Shaniwarwada, Aga Khan Palace, and Pataleshwar Cave Temple.
* **Expenditure on Pune Monuments:**
* 2022-23: Expenditure of ₹159.87 lakhs
* 2023-24: Expenditure of ₹139.27 lakhs
* 2024-25: Expenditure of ₹89.01 lakhs
* **ASI Circle Offices in Maharashtra:**
* Three circle offices: Aurangabad Circle, Mumbai Circle, and Nagpur Circle.
* In 2024-25:
* Aurangabad Circle utilized ₹5.16 cr out of ₹5.20 cr allocated fund.
* Mumbai Circle utilized ₹12.56 cr out of ₹12.58 cr allocated fund.
* Nagpur Circle utilized ₹6.80 crore out of ₹6.80 crore allocated fund.
* **Monument Protection & Conservation:**
* ASI is responsible for 3685 Centrally Protected Monuments/Sites across the country, including those in Maharashtra.
* Conservation, restoration, preservation, and maintenance are conducted based on monument needs and available resources, following the National Policy for Conservation.
* **Stakeholder Involvement:**
* There are no current proposals to involve local educational institutions and civic bodies in heritage conservation projects.
* Local schools and educational institutions are involved in heritage awareness programs organized by ASI.
* **Security:**
* Multi-Tasking Staff are posted for watch and ward.
* Private security and CISF are deployed at selected monuments.
* Periodic inspections are carried out by ASI officials.
**Impact Analysis**
**ASI (Archaeological Survey of India)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the conservation, maintenance, and security of protected monuments in Maharashtra and across the country.
* **Action Required:** Continue to allocate resources and manage the conservation and maintenance efforts according to the National Policy for Conservation. Continue to conduct periodic inspections.
**Pune Monuments (Shaniwarwada, Aga Khan Palace, and Pataleshwar Cave Temple)**
* **Impact:** Receive sustained support for their conservation and preservation.
* **Action Required:** None explicitly stated, but continued monitoring of condition and needs is implied.
**Local Educational Institutions and Civic Bodies**
* **Impact:** Not directly involved in conservation projects but can participate in heritage awareness programs.
* **Action Required:** Participate in ASI-organized heritage awareness programs.
**Union Culture and Tourism Minister**
* **Impact:** Responsible for providing updates on conservation efforts to the Rajya Sabha.
* **Action Required:** Issue written replies regarding monument protection and conservation efforts.
Key Entities Referenced
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): The primary organization responsible for the conservation and maintenance of ancient monuments in India, including those in Maharashtra.
National Policy for Conservation: A document that outlines the guidelines and principles for the conservation, restoration, and preservation of monuments and sites in India.
Ministry of Culture: The ministry responsible for the conservation works undertaken by ASI.
Maharashtra: The specific geographic region where conservation efforts are being highlighted.
Ministry of Culture
Significant Conservation Works Undertaken by
ASI in Maharashtra; Pune Monuments Receive
Sustained Support
प्रव तथ: 04 DEC 2025 5:19PM by PIB Mumbai
: Mumbai/New Delhi, December 4, 2025
There are three ancient monuments of national importance in Pune, namely
Shaniwarwada, Aga Khan Palace and Pataleshwar Cave Temple. These are
maintained and conserved by Archeological Survey of India (ASI).
Expenditure incurred on these monuments during last three years is given as under:
Year Expenditure (amount in Lakhs)
2022-23 159.87
2023-24 139.27
2024-25 89.01
There are three circle offices of ASI in Maharashtra, namely, Aurangabad Circle,
Mumbai Circle and Nagpur Circle. In 2024-25, Aurangabad Circle had an allocated
fund of Rs 5.20 cr, out of which Rs 5.16 cr was utilized. Mumbai Circle utilized Rs
12.56 cr, out of its allocated fund of Rs 12.58 cr, while Nagpur circle utilized its
allocated fund of Rs 6.80 crore, in 2024-25.
There are 3685 Centrally Protected Monuments/Sites under the jurisdiction of
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) across the country including Maharashtra. The
conservation, restoration, preservation including maintenance of these
monuments/sites is taken up as per the need of monument/sites and availability of
resources as per the National Policy for Conservation.
There is no proposal under consideration at present to involve local educational
institutions and civic bodies in heritage conservation projects. However, local school
and educational institutions are being involved in heritage awareness programmes
organized by ASI on the occasions of world heritage week and world heritage day
and other important occasions.Multi Tasking Staff has been posted for watch and ward at protected monuments
and sites. Further, at selected monuments; private security personnel as well as
CISF are deployed to safe guard the monuments and sites. Further; periodic
inspections are carried out by ASI officials.
This was stated in a written reply by Union Culture and Tourism Minister Shri
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at the Rajya Sabha today.
***
Sriyanka Chatterjee/Parshuram Kor
Follow us on social media: @PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com /PI
BMumbai /pibmumbai
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2198818) आगंतुक पटल : 77
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Marathi