Visitor access has been restricted at several major Delhi monuments, including Hauz Khas Fort, Jantar Mantar and Agrasen ki Baoli, as the Archaeological Survey of India carries out conservation, structural repair and visitor-facility work, according to an RTI response reported by PTI.
The response, accessed by PTI, covers 10 monuments under the ASI’s Delhi Circle. It states that emergency structural repairs are underway at the group of monuments at Hauz Khas and at the Kotla Firoz Shah complex. Visitor facilities are being refurbished at Tughlaqabad Fort and the tomb of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, while accessibility improvements are being carried out at the Qutub Minar complex.
The RTI response also records structural repairs and renovation of the signal regiment building and toilet block at Salimgarh Fort. Conservation work is underway around the well area, including the parapet at the Lahore Gate of the Red Fort. The response did not specify when all the visitor restrictions came into effect.
At Hauz Khas, a portion of the group of buildings known as Hauz Khas I has been restricted to visitors. The complex developed around a medieval reservoir and includes a madrasa, a tomb and other structures associated with the Delhi Sultanate. The reservoir was built during the reign of Alauddin Khalji, while the madrasa and tomb are closely linked to Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
Visitor movement has also been restricted at structures within Jantar Mantar and Agrasen ki Baoli in central Delhi. Jantar Mantar was built in 1724 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur and is known for its large masonry instruments used for astronomical observations.
The ASI’s Delhi Circle has restricted access to six structures inside the Red Fort: the Hammam, Moti Masjid, Diwan-i-Khas, Khas Mahal, Rang Mahal and Sheesh Mahal. The Hammam served as the royal bathhouse, while Moti Masjid was built as a private mosque by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The Diwan-i-Khas was constructed under Shah Jahan as the Hall of Private Audience, and the Khas Mahal and Rang Mahal formed part of the imperial residential and household areas.
Some restrictions at the Red Fort have been in place for several years. The Hammam and Moti Masjid have remained closed because their marble and inlay work are vulnerable to damage from heavy visitor footfall, according to the report.
At the Qutub Minar complex, the first floor of the Hindu Remains Corridor, the Jamali Kamali Tomb and the internal structure of the Qutub Minar have been kept out of bounds. Entry into the interior of the Qutub Minar has been restricted since a stampede in 1981.
Repair work is also underway at the mosque and adjoining cells at Safdarjung Tomb, while public amenities are being upgraded at Humayun’s Tomb. The work spans structural conservation, restoration of visitor facilities and improvements intended to make parts of the heritage sites more accessible.
The RTI data shows that the Delhi Circle was allocated Rs 19.10 crore in 2021-22, with nearly the entire amount spent. The allocation rose to Rs 30.50 crore in 2022-23, which was also almost fully utilised. In 2023-24, Rs 36.61 crore was allocated and around Rs 36.57 crore was spent. The allocation fell to Rs 17.85 crore in 2024-25, with about Rs 17.85 crore spent, before rising to Rs 28.70 crore in 2025-26. Around Rs 28.67 crore had been spent from the latest allocation, the response said.
