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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s fund announcement connected Sunday (February 1, 2026) to make Hisar’s Rakhigarhi, the largest Harappan tract successful the Indian sub-continent, into “vibrant, experiential taste destination” was met with scepticism, alternatively of celebration, with the villagers claiming that small enactment had been carried astatine the tract successful the aftermath of a akin announcement successful the Union Budget for 2020-21.
In her Union Budget 2020-21 speech, Ms. Sitharaman had announced that 5 archaeological sites would beryllium developed arsenic iconic sites with on-site Museums --.Rakhigarhi (Haryana), Hastinapur (Uttar Pradesh) Shivsagar (Assam), Dholavira (Gujarat) and Adichanallur (Tamil Nadu). The locals broke into celebrations pursuing the announcement backmost past hoping that it volition enactment their colony connected the planetary representation and make occupation opportunities for the youth.
However, 5 years down the line, the locals assertion that the advancement made connected the task was “very slow”.
Ward No. 28 Zila Parishad subordinate and erstwhile Rakhigarhi Sarpanch Dinesh Sheoran said they did not administer sweets this clip dissimilar the erstwhile juncture arsenic they had small hope. “It has been 5 years since the earlier announcement, but small enactment has been done by the Archaeological Survey of India to make this colony arsenic an iconic site. Only a shed has been erected connected mound no. 4, a 500 sq yards onshore parcel, and a bound partition constructed successful 1996 was painted,” helium claimed.
Deputy Director, Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Narender, said a hostel, a guest-house and a cafeteria were constructed and inaugurated by Chief Minister Nayab Sainai past year. The civilian enactment of the Museum was “almost” complete, helium said, adding that each this enactment was carried by the State government.
He said the State authorities had prepared a Rs.206 crore Detailed Project Report, which included amended connectivity to the colony and to the mounds, and the full enactment was expected to beryllium completed by 2027.
An authoritative astatine Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Chandigarh Circle, said astir Rs.1 crore was spent connected the task truthful acold by the ASI, conceding that nary abstracted fund was allocated for the improvement of the Rakhigarhi by the cardinal government. Additional Director General, ASI, Sanjay Manjul, did not reply to a query connected the enactment carried retired by the ASI.
Ms. Sitharaman, successful her latest fund code has projected to “develop 15 archaeological sites including Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Adichanallur, Sarnath, Hastinapur, and Leh Palace into vibrant, experiential taste destinations”. “Excavated landscapes volition beryllium opened to the nationalist done curated walkways. Immersive storytelling skills and technologies volition beryllium introduced to assistance conservation labs, mentation centres, and guides,” she said.
Addressing the gathering astatine the 2nd state-level Rakhigarhi Mahotsav connected December 26, Mr. Saini said the Central Government has allocated ₹500 crore successful the Union Budget to make Rakhigarhi, a witnesser to India’s past and glorious civilization, into a prestigious planetary landmark. He besides inaugurated the Harappan Knowledge Centre connected the occasion.
Congress’ Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala, successful a station connected “X”, said: “Haryana has nary sanction oregon hint successful #Budget2026! Got the ASI’s rattle successful Rakhi Garhi! When the authorities is “Nayab” then.... Injustice volition beryllium done to Haryana again and again!
