Union Culture Ministry okays ASI-maintained monuments to be opened from June 8

Nationa

Culture Ministry nod to open 820 ASI monuments which have places of worship from June 8

A view of the Safdarjung Tomb in New Delhi. File   | Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

Sources said that wearing masks might be made the norm at such sites for visitors

The Union Culture Ministry on June 7 approved opening of 820 centrally protected monuments under the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) which has places of worship from June 8, Minister Prahlad Patel said.

The Ministry clarified that as per the instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Culture Ministry has decided to open only those monuments among the over 3,000 ASI-maintained monuments, where religious worship takes place such as Nila Mosque at Hauz Khas enclave, the Qutub archaeological area, Lal Gumbad in Delhi.

He said that all coronavirus-related protocols issued by the Union Health Ministry will be followed by the monument authorities.

There are 3,691 Centrally-protected monuments and archaeological sites maintained by the ASI were shut from March 17 in view of the coronavirus crisis.

Sources said that wearing masks might be made the norm at such sites for visitors.

“Today, the Culture Ministry has approved the opening of 820 of its living monuments under the ASI from June 8. All protocols issued by the MHA and the Health Ministry will be followed,” Mr. Patel tweeted.

A letter from the Editor

Dear reader,

We have been keeping you up-to-date with information on the developments in India and the world that have a bearing on our health and wellbeing, our lives and livelihoods, during these difficult times. To enable wide dissemination of news that is in public interest, we have increased the number of articles that can be read free, and extended free trial periods. However, we have a request for those who can afford to subscribe: please do. As we fight disinformation and misinformation, and keep apace with the happenings, we need to commit greater resources to news gathering operations. We promise to deliver quality journalism that stays away from vested interest and political propaganda.

Support Quality Journalism
Next Story