17 ‘Iconic’ tourist sites being developed

17 ‘Iconic’ tourist sites being developedNEW DELHI: Ministry of Tourism has identified 17 sites in 12 clusters in the country for development under Iconic Tourist Sites Development Project, pursuant to Budget Announcements of 2018-19. The 17 sites are Uttar Pradesh – Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri; Maharashtra – Ajanta & Ellora; Delhi – Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort & Qutub Minar; Goa – Colva beach; Rajasthan – Amer Fort; Gujarat – Somnath & Dholavira; Madhya Pradesh – Khajuraho; Karnataka – Hampi; Tamil Nadu – Mahabalipuram; Assam – Kaziranga; Kerala – Kumarakom; Bihar – Mahabodhi.
Giving this information in the Rajya Sabha, Tourism Minister K. J. Alphons said the Ministry will be developing these sites in a holistic manner with focus on issues concerning connectivity to the destination, better facilities/experience for the tourists at the site, skill development, involvement of local community, promotion and branding and by bringing in private investment.
The monuments taken up for development under the above mentioned project fall under the jurisdiction of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and State Archaeology Departments. The Ministry will carry out interventions at these monuments in collaboration with the ASI and State Governments and all development plans will have elements of universal accessibility, cleanliness at the monuments, use of Green Technology and enhanced security for the tourists. PTI