New Delhi, Aug 5 (IANS) India will be spending over Rs.120 crore this year for the upkeep of historical monuments, including constructing public amenities, to make the sites more tourist-friendly, the Rajya Sabha was informed Thursday.
Minister of State for Planning and Parliamentary Affairs V. Narayanasamy said maintaining and developing the environs and creating tourist-related amenities at centrally-protected monuments are undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The minister said during 2009-10 the ASI, the apex body to conserve and maintain 3,675 centrally-protected monuments in the country, spent Rs.153 crore for their upkeep.
In 2007-08, the government spent Rs.128 crore, while Rs.134 crore was spent in 2008-09.
The government this year is focussing more on building public amenities and beautifying the environs around monuments to attract more tourists during the Commonwealth Games Oct 3-14.
Many of the monuments, especially in the Indian capital, will be lighted up during the nights.
