In a bid to preserve the cultural heritage of the national Capital, the Ministry of Tourism has accepted construction major National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC)'s proposal for upgradation and maintenance of Purana Qila (Old Fort).
“The proposal of NBCC(India) ltd has been accepted by Ministry of Tourism for up-gradation and maintenance of Purana Qila under its Corporate SocialResponsibility (CSR),” said officials of NBCC.
NBCC, which is under the administrative control of the Ministry ofHousing and Urban Affairs, is present in three main segments —Project Management Consultancy (PMC), Real Estate Development and Engineering Procurement Construction Contracting.
According to NBCC, it had submitted an Expression of Interest (EoI) for Purana Quila under 'Adopt a Heritage Project' scheme under Tourism Ministry. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed for a project on 'Conservation, Development and Maintenance of Purana Qila' between the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), National Care Fund (NCF) and NBCC.
Officials said that the project execution will be done in three phases, starting with basic conservation and restoration methods, revamping and extending the museum and parking space and will finally focus on excavation and display. The manoeuvre order came as abreather for Delhi Tourism Department, which has been seeing upsetting figures in terms of revenue generated from tourist activities in the Purana Qila.
The Purana Qila is perfect amalgamation of Islamic and Hindu architecture, and has several touristic interest like the octagonal Sher Mahal, originally constructed for entertainment purposes, the museum which has a vast array of Mughal artefacts for display, the Purana Qila lake, where films like 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns', starring Kangna Ranaut and
R Madhavan, were shot and the Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid, a prayer hall erected by Sher Shah Suri.
Under the CSR programe, 14 PSUs including the Steel Authority of India (SAI), Indian Oil, UCO Bank, ONGC, had adopted over 18 monuments, including the monuments at lodhi Gardens, Khajuraho Temples, and the Ahom Monuments in Assam. Other monuments that will be taken up include the Qutub Minar and Ajanta Caves which will be maintained by Yatra, and Mattancherry Palace Museum, and Safdarjung Tomb to be maintained by the Travel Corporation of India ltd.
Adventure Tour Operator Association of India will take over the Gangotri Temple area and trail to Gaumukh and
Mt. Stok Kangri, while TK International limited will adopt the Sun Temple, Raja Rani Temple and Ratnagiri Monuments and Agrasen Ki Baoli will be taken over by Special Holidays Travel Pvt. ltd. in collaboration with Rotary Club of Delhi.