The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is currently undertaking excavations at 14 archaeological sites across India, with projects spanning Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Odisha, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, and Tamil Nadu. The Ministry of Culture informed Parliament that 121 excavation permissions have been issued by ASI over the past five years, reflecting sustained efforts to uncover and preserve India’s archaeological heritage.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated that ASI has issued 24 excavation permissions in 2021–22, 31 in 2022–23, 19 in 2023, 22 in 2024, and 25 in 2025, taking the total to 121 archaeological projects during the five-year period.
The Minister said that ongoing excavations have led to the discovery of structural remains, burial sites, pottery, coins, beads, ornaments, agricultural implements, bone objects, and other antiquities. As per established archaeological practice, samples recovered from excavation sites are sent to specialized scientific institutions for validation whenever required. The government also clarified that no court order has affected the continuation or closure of any ASI archaeological project during the last five years.
Major Ongoing Excavation Sites
The annexure attached to the parliamentary reply lists 14 ongoing ASI excavation projects across the country. Among the prominent sites are:
- Rakhigarhi, Haryana, one of the largest Harappan civilisation sites, with expenditure of ₹2.16 crore.
- Agroha, Haryana – ₹1.26 crore.
- Dwarka, Gujarat – ₹1.00 crore.
- Morabandar area of Elephanta Island, Maharashtra – ₹99.17 lakh.
- Hanuman Timbo and nearby sites in Bhavnagar, Gujarat – ₹93.34 lakh.
- Ancient site of Lothal, Gujarat – ₹69.34 lakh.
- Piprahwa (Ganwaria), Uttar Pradesh – ₹54.35 lakh.
- Additional excavations are underway at Brahmagiri (Karnataka), Sari Deul Complex (Odisha), Ashok Rock Inscription at Jaugada (Odisha), Janampet (Telangana), Balirajgarh (Bihar), Kumarikkalpalayam (Tamil Nadu), and Kamalapura (Karnataka).
Strengthening India’s Archaeological Research
The Ministry’s statement highlights ASI’s continued focus on systematic archaeological investigations aimed at enhancing knowledge of India’s ancient civilizations, cultural landscapes, and historic settlements. The excavations are expected to contribute significantly to heritage conservation, academic research, and public understanding of India’s rich archaeological legacy.
Also Read: ASI Launches Major Restoration Drive Across 140 Protected Monuments in Delhi
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