The Union Government has decided to form an Oversight Committee for the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha to promote tourism-related amenities and cleanliness in and around the monument.
Union Tourism Secretary Rashmi Verma has informed the State Government that the committee would inspect and access all the required aspects towards cleanliness on a regular basis. It would access adequacy of the infrastructure facilities in maintaining the Adarsh Monument.
The Sun Temple has been listed as one of the 25 Adarsh Monuments of the country.
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, which is one of the top priorities of the Union Government, the Oversight Committee is being formed by the Ministry of Tourism by taking representatives from tourism, culture, hospitality industry, tour operators and representatives from both Union and State Tourism Departments.
The committee would not only visit Konark on a fortnightly basis but talk to tourists, both international and domestic, to access their perception about the tourist complex and solicit their suggestions for cleanliness and upkeep of the monument.
While the Konrak temple has been selected for the purpose, the State Government would designate a Nodal Officer for coordinating the process, said sources in State Department of Tourism.
Monuments like Taj Mahal, Hampi, Khajuraho, Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Elephanta Caves, Sarnath, Fatehpur Sikri and leh Palace are listed for setting up Oversight Committees.
Meanwhile, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has identified 25 monuments for the Adarsh Smarak Scheme for upgradation of tourism-related amenities. The Sun Temple, a World Heritage Site, being included in the list, the move is to make the monument visitor-friendly with washrooms, drinking water, signage, cafeteria and wi-fi facilities.
The ASI would provide interpretation and audio-video centres and streamline the waste water and garbage disposal and rainwater harvesting systems.
Steps are also being taken to make the monument accessible to differently-abled, said ASI sources.
The Sun Temple, protected by the ASI, has been declared a polythene-free zone. An advisory has been issued to the State Governments to support the ASI in keeping the monument polythene-free up to 300 meters from its protected boundaries.