MADHUBANI, March 1 -- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has granted fresh approval for excavation at the ancient fort site of Balirajgarh in Madhubani district, rekindling hopes that the buried layers of Mithila's early urban civilisation will finally be explored in depth.

The approval, issued by the ASI headquarters in New Delhi on February 26, is valid for one year and authorises the ASI's Patna Circle to undertake excavation at the centrally protected site, officially listed as the "Remains of Ancient Fort of Garh, locally known as Raja Bali Ka Garh, at Balirajgarh."

According to official records from the ASI and the ministry of tourism the centrally protected area of the monument, spread over 122.31 acres in Babubarhi block, ...