Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar on Tuesday directed officials to fast-track conservation works across Maharashtra's forts, ancient temples, and historic monuments, as the state extended a key funding provision through 2026-27. The move allows three per cent of funds under the District Annual Plan (General) to be deployed for heritage conservation — a lifeline for sites that have long awaited structural attention.

Key Decisions at the Review Meeting

At a meeting chaired by Shelar, officials took targeted decisions on three heritage sites in Sindhudurg district. A site museum will be established at Nandos Fort, with the local Gram Panchayat entrusted with its day-to-day management. A digital survey of Bhagwantgad using modern technology has received administrative approval, with a detailed report to follow. Separately, the process of declaring Siddhagad a State Protected Monument has been formally initiated.

Shelar also confirmed that preventive orders have been issued to bar illegal excavation or mining within fort premises until the protection process is complete.

Scale of Conservation: Numbers and Progress

Technical approval worth ₹441.14 crore has been granted to conserve 184 monuments statewide through the District Annual Plan of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums. Of these, 161 works amounting to ₹372.34 crore have received administrative approval, while 52 works worth ₹105.61 crore have been completed. Currently, 108 works valued at ₹184.68 crore are underway.

Beyond the District Annual Plan, an additional 108 works worth ₹627.62 crore have been sanctioned through departmental funds. Of these, 16 have been completed and 86 are in progress — signalling a broad, multi-track conservation push across the state.

Who Attended and What It Signals

Senior officials from the Cultural Affairs Department, including Tejas Garge, Director of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, along with district officials and local public representatives, attended the review meeting. The multi-stakeholder composition suggests the government is moving toward decentralised management of heritage assets — particularly for forts in remote districts where central oversight has historically been thin.

This comes amid growing concern over the deterioration of Maharashtra's coastal and Deccan forts, many of which bear Maratha-era significance and attract substantial tourism. Notably, Sindhudurg district — home to the three sites highlighted at Tuesday's meeting — holds some of the most strategically important Maratha naval fortifications, including Sindhudurg Fort built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

What Happens Next

With the District Annual Plan provision extended to 2026-27, departments have a firmer fiscal runway to complete ongoing works and initiate new ones. The digital survey of Bhagwantgad and the State Protected Monument declaration for Siddhagad are the two near-term milestones to watch. Whether the pace of on-ground execution matches the scale of financial approvals will determine the programme's real impact.