278 centrally-protected monuments encroached upon: Lok Sabha told

NEW DELHI: Of 3678 centrally protected monuments, around 278 premises have been encroached upon, the government today said.

In a response to a question in Lok Sabha, Chandresh Kumari Katoch, Minister of Culture, said there were encroachments on 278 centrally protected monuments across 23 circles (regions) of the country. The Archaeological Survey of India undertakes regular conservation and preservation of these structures.

The Lucknow circle, which falls under Uttar Pradesh alone, has over 60 such monuments that have been encroached upon while the Dharwad circle in Karnataka has over 50 such structures.

The minister added encroachments of over 24 structures have been removed so far.