Surya Pahar, Talatal, Charaideo to undergo excavation

NEW DELHI, February 24: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has identified three new sites including Surya Pahar, Ahom palace Talatalghar and Charaideo Maidam No. 2 in Assam for scientific excavations during the current year, the Minister for Tourism, Ananth Kumar disclosed this here today. The three monuments selected for excavation are in Goalpara and Sivasagar districts. The ASI has declared 49 monuments to be of national importance in Assam, the Minister further said, adding that they were all in good state of preservation. The Minister informed Arun Kumar Sarma that the Tourism Ministry proposed to work on preservation and environmental development of monuments in the Northeast, go for more scientific excavations, epigraphical research besides providing financial assistance for unprotected monuments, with the 10 per cent budgetary allocation provided under Prime Minister's special initiative.