THE CULTURE Ministry has proposed that construction should be allowed in the “prohibited area” around archaeological monuments, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, if it is “public works” and funded by the central government. The ministry has circulated a Cabinet note proposing to amend the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 to this effect. Currently, no construction is allowed in the “prohibited area” — the immediate 100-metre radius around monuments — except for repair and renovation of the existing structure. When contacted, Navneet Soni, Member Secretary, National Monuments Authority, told The Indian Express: “There are a few instances of large public infrastructure works in the vicinity of monuments. By works, we mean large works of public interest, not anything and everything.

Source: Indian Express January 17, 2017 23:08 UTC