India to assist in the conservation of temples in Pakistan, Afghanistan

Union Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni said here today that the Government is keen to assist in the conservation of temples in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

New Delhi, Aug 30 : Union Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni said here today that the Government is keen to assist in the conservation of temples in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Soni said that an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team had visited the Katasraj Temple complex, Pakistan at Islamabad's request.

The ASI's detailed report has been sent to the Pakistan Government and a response is awaited, she added.

Afghanistan too has requested for India's assistance for restoration of the historic 'Stoor Palace' in Kabul. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) was asked to undertake a pre-feasibility study for the restoration.

Kabul has also sought India's cooperation in the field of archaeology, archives, monuments and museums, Soni said in a written reply in the Lok Sahha.

Under a bilateral exchange programme, the ASI team visited the Thiru Kutiswaram Temple and the Mulkirigala Rajya Vihar in Sri Lanka, the Ta Prohm Temple Complex in Cambodia and the Prambanan Temple Complex in Indonesia, besides the Katasraj Group of Temple in Pakistan and the 'Stoor Palace' in Afghanistan, Soni said.

The project reports and inspection reports have already been submitted to the Ministry of External Affairs for further action.

In pursuance of the bilateral agreement between India and Cambodia, Soni said the conservation and restoration of Ta Prohm Temple has been entrusted to the ASI to be completed in ten years at an estimated cost of Rupees 195.7 million.

ANI