Updated on Sunday, July 05, 2009, 09:37 IST

New Delhi, July 05: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is preparing a comprehensive plan to provide security cover to historical monuments across the country to protect them from attacks and damage by visitors.

The ASI, which is responsible for conservation of the monuments, has invited bids from private security agencies for guarding historical buildings in the capital and other places of prime tourist importance.

Although private security men are stationed at a number of monuments presently, all are not covered yet. Heritage sites like Taj Mahal and Red Fort are being guarded by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Director General of ASI K N Shrivastava confirmed that the department was roping in private security agencies for guarding the sites conserved by it.

The private guards will render duties of access control in the monuments and also patrol the premises to thwart attempts of damage and disfiguring by visitors.

They will be deployed at monuments of "larger tourist interest," an ASI official said.

Monuments in Delhi -- which has a total of 174 historical sites -- will be provided with these new security personnel before the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The number of security men at any monument will be decided on a case-to-case basis and the deployment will be kept flexible, as needed, the official said.

The ASI is also worried over the illegal encroachments and unauthorised entry of miscreants in the monuments.

It presently has a total of 24 circles under whose jurisdiction the monuments have been categorised. Out of the 27 World Heritage sites, 22 are cultural properties (like Red Fort) and five are natural properties (like Kaziranga National Park in Assam).

Bureau Report