Hyderabad, April 15 -- Amid the ongoing rise of COVID-19 cases, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has shut down the historic Golconda fort and Charminar. A circular from the ASI on Thursday said that all monuments/museums protected by the central government under the agency have been shut with immediate effect until May 15.

While the ASI has closed its monuments for visitors, there is no intimation about other heritage buildings or historical monuments that fall under the state government, like the Qutb Shahi tombs, which are currently still open. The Charminar and Golconda fort were also shut last year as well due to the lockdown imposed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Both, along with other places, had reopened only in Sep...