Delhi Cabinet Clears Monument Adoption and Grant-in-Aid Schemes
The Delhi government has approved a first-of-its-kind scheme allowing private companies, NGOs, trusts, and institutions to 'adopt' 75 protected monuments and develop them into vibrant public spaces. The Cabinet on Monday cleared the Delhi Chief Minister Monument Adoption Scheme along with a Grant-in-Aid Scheme for conservation and restoration, marking a major push to preserve monuments under the Delhi government's Archaeology Department rather than the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
What Adopting a Monument Entails
Under the new scheme, public sector undertakings (PSUs), private companies, registered NGOs, trusts, educational institutions, and other organisations can become 'Monument Mitras' by adopting any of the 75 monuments for a period of five years. Adopting organisations will fund and maintain visitor facilities such as cleanliness, security, lighting, landscaping, signages, and even light-and-sound shows using their own resources. However, the government clarified that the monuments themselves will remain under government ownership and supervision. Any revenue generated from approved activities must be reinvested in upkeep and cannot be treated as private profit.
A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between the Delhi government, the land-owning agency, and the adopting organisation, with periodic monitoring and evaluation to ensure compliance. Interested organisations must also submit a vision document outlining how they plan to improve visitor experience and maintain the monument.
Grant-in-Aid Scheme for Conservation
Alongside the adoption scheme, the Cabinet approved a Grant-in-Aid Scheme under which eligible institutions can receive financial assistance of up to Rs 2 crore for technical conservation and restoration work. The grants will be available to registered trusts, NGOs, foundations, universities, educational institutions, and autonomous bodies with expertise in heritage conservation. Voluntary organisations must be registered on the Centre's Darpan Portal to qualify.
The government said 21 of the 75 monuments are already undergoing conservation through the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), while the new scheme will allow specialised institutions to participate in similar restoration projects.
Boost for Tourism and Employment
According to the government, the twin schemes are expected to create employment opportunities for conservation experts, architects, artisans, and skilled workers while promoting traditional crafts and increasing community participation in heritage preservation. Officials believe improved visitor facilities and better maintenance could also help draw more tourists to Delhi's lesser-known monuments, many of which remain overlooked despite their historical significance.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, "Delhi's historic heritage is our identity and our collective heritage. Our aim is not merely to conserve monuments but to develop them into vibrant tourism hubs." With the launch of the two schemes under the 'Hamare Smarak, Hamara Gaurav' initiative, the Delhi government hopes to reduce the maintenance burden on the exchequer while giving the city's neglected heritage sites a new lease of life through public-private collaboration.
