GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Culture 

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION N0. 2657
TO BE ANSWERED ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2012 / BHADRA 14, 1934 (SAKA)
Endangerment to Monuments in Karnataka by the NH

2657. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR: 

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a)   whether the Chandranatha Temple, Thousand Pillar Temple and other ancient Jain monuments in Moodbidri, Karnataka are endangered by a proposed 4-lane National Highway, which would pass right through the town;

(b)   if so, the details thereof;

(c)    whether Government proposes to activate an alternative plan for a bypass away from the town to protect the monuments, if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d)   what are the requisites to declare a ‘Heritage Town’ and can Moodbidri and its precincts be declared as a Heritage town?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND
MINISTER OF CULTURE
(KUMARI SELJA)

(a) to (c) As per the information received there is no proposal of widening National Highway    passing through Moodbidri town. However, there is a proposal for widening of 2 - lane with paved boulders from Shimoga to Mangalore section of National Highway 13 by National Highway Authority of India project implementing unit, Mangalore. A by-pass road has been proposed for Moodbidri town and there is no danger to Chandranatha Temple, Thousand Pillar Temple and other ancient Jain monuments in Moodbidri, Karnataka.

(d) There is no provision under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 to declare any town as a 'Heritage' Town.