Exclusive: Budget woes stall conservation efforts at Delhi’s iconic monuments

Conservation efforts at several of Delhi’s iconic monuments have come to a halt due to a significant budget shortage faced by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The ASI is grappling with a funding gap exceeding Rs. 3 crore, leading to the temporary suspension of various projects in the national capital, according to sources within the ASI Delhi circle.

“Due to the ongoing financial constraints, we have had to put on hold the conservation and restoration work for several monuments in Delhi until sufficient funds are allocated,” said a senior official from ASI Delhi.

The halted projects include conservation efforts for some of the capital’s most iconic monuments. “The restoration work for Bada Gumbad at Lodhi Garden, Safdarjung Tomb, Humayun’s Tomb, and the Red Fort has been temporarily paused until we receive the necessary budget,” the official added.

The estimated cost for the conservation of these four monuments ranges between Rs. 2 to 3 crore, according to the ASI official.

The restoration work includes critical tasks such as waterproofing, racking and pointing, underpinning of damaged structures, stone cleaning, cleaning of inner and outer plate surfaces, and removal of unwanted vegetation growth, among other essential activities.

These monuments attract significant footfall, both from national and international visitors. Red Fort sees over 2 million visitors annually, while Safdarjung Tomb attracts approximately 1.3 million, and Humayun’s Tomb draws around 700,000 visitors each year. In addition, these monuments serve as popular filming locations for Bollywood and web series productions, further underlining their cultural and economic significance.

Another conservation project facing a setback is the restoration of Satpula, an 800-year-old ancient water harvesting dam located in Malviya Nagar. Built during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Shah Tughlaq (1325–1351), the dam was originally designed to provide water for irrigation and as part of the city’s defences against invading armies. The restoration work has been halted due to budgetary constraints, leaving this important historical structure in need of urgent attention.

A detailed project report (DPR) for this was prepared last November, costing around Rs. 45 lakh, but the project has been delayed due to the lack of funds.

ASI officials have also highlighted that the conservation of the 400-year-old historic Barapullah Bridge has been suspended. The estimated cost for its restoration is Rs. 1.5 crore.

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The last leg of conservation work at Khirki Masjid, another heritage site in Delhi, has also been put on hold. This project, which involves the construction of 12 new pillars, has an estimated cost of Rs. 50 lakh.

Senior officials from ASI Delhi have pointed to several factors contributing to the financial crunch, such as the expenses related to the recent Lok Sabha elections and the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee, which was held in Delhi. “The government may have diverted funds to these critical projects, leading to the current budget shortage,” explained one senior official.

India hosted the World Heritage Committee meeting for the first time in July 2024, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The committee, which meets annually, is responsible for overseeing the management of World Heritage Sites and making decisions regarding the inscription of sites onto the World Heritage List.

In July this year, ASI was allocated Rs. 1,273.91 crore in the Union Budget 2024-25 compared to Rs. 1,131.08 crore in the previous budget. The Budget outlay for the culture sector stands at Rs. 3,260.93 crore for 2024-25, compared to Rs. 3,399.65 crore allocated in the last budget.

Another senior ASI official said that the Delhi Circle has received significantly lower funding from the government this year compared to last year.

Officials said that budget constraints are jeopardising the ongoing conservation efforts, raising concerns about the preservation of India’s invaluable cultural heritage.