The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has allowed the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology to take up the 11th phase of excavation at Keeladi and its cluster in Sivaganga district, along with seven other sites. These are Pattinamarudhur (Thoothukudi), Karivalam Vantha Nallur (Tenkasi), Manikollai (Cuddalore), Adichanur (Villupuram), Vellalore (Coimbatore), Telunganur–Mangadu (Salem) and Nagapattinam. Approval was given under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules, 1959, on an expert committee's recommendation. The State submitted the proposal in July 2025 under its 2025–26 Budget. Digs in Tamil Nadu usually run from January to July, ahead of the monsoon.