The Union Ministry of Culture has clarified in the Rajya Sabha that Belagavi Fort is not under the direct jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), though four Centrally Protected Monuments within the fort premises are maintained by ASI.
Replying to an unstarred question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Shri Iranna Kadadi, the Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, stated that ASI is responsible only for specific protected structures inside the fort, including the Kamal Basadi (Old Jain Temple), Safa Masjid, remains of an old Hindu temple near the barracks, and another Jain temple near the Commissariat Store yard.
The Minister informed the House that conservation works such as roof waterproofing, lime plastering, pointing, resetting of structures and electrification have been carried out at Kamal Basadi and Safa Masjid. No encroachments have been reported on these protected monuments, and vegetation removal is undertaken periodically by ASI.
He further clarified that tourist amenities like lighting, pathways and signage within the fort complex are handled by the Directorate of Minorities and Malanadu Area Development Board, Karnataka, while overall maintenance of the fort lies with the State Archaeology Department. The Centre also stated that there is no proposal under consideration to include Belagavi Fort in the State’s heritage tourism circuit at present.