After a delay of many months, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has finally granted permission to the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) to conduct excavations at eight historical sites in the State, including the 11th phase of excavations at Keeladi.
According to officials, the approval has been given to conduct excavations at Keeladi and its clusters in Sivaganga district; Pattinamarudhur in Thoothukudi district; Karivalamvanthanallur in Tenkasi district; Manikollai in Cuddalore district; Adichanur in Villupuram district; Vellalore in Coimbatore district; Telunganur-Mangadu in Salem district; and Nagapattinam.
The ASI is facing a credibility crisis
The approval from the Exploration and Excavation Section of the ASI was granted on March 13 under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules, 1959, following the recommendation of an expert committee.
In July 2025, the TNSDA had sought the ASI’s approval to conduct excavations at these sites, which were announced by Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu in the State Budget for 2025-26. After delays, officials from the Tamil Nadu government had written to the ASI seeking approval, as the excavation season in Tamil Nadu runs only from January to July.
