The battle for the maintenance of iconic Taj Mahal, a symbol of love, has just got fierce. The Union Tourism Ministry asked cigarette giant ITC and infrastructure major GMR, to prepare a ‘vision’ document showcasing their plans for maintenance of the tourist hotspot within three weeks.
The two corporates have shown interest to adopt the historic monument under the Government’s ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Darohar, Apni Pehchaan’ scheme launched last September.
“Presently we are felicitating them to visit the Taj Mahal to help them to conduct need gap analysis and possible steps to enhance the facilities at the monuments. Their ‘vision’ documents will be studied by our Oversight and Vision Committee. The best will be shortlisted,” said a senior official from the Ministry.
She said that both the companies have to ensure that best practices are implemented and world class basic facilities are provided to the tourists as directed by the Prime Minister Office (PMO). As announced in Budget 2018, Taj Mahal is one of the 10 sites and monuments including Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun Tomb, Dhola Veera, Somnath Temple, Mahabalipuram, Ajanta and Ellora caves, Hampi and Kaziranga National Park that will be developed on the world standard level.
On Tuesday, under the scheme, the Ministry in collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Archeological Survey of India (ASI) inked two pacts with Dalmia Bharat, a corporate major, which has adopted Red Fort in Delhi and Gandhikota Fort in Andhra Pradesh for their maintenance.
As per the MoU, signed in the presence of Tourism Minister, KJ Alphons, Dalmia Bharat will work to make the two monuments tourist friendly. Tourism facilities like drinking water, signages, easy accessibility for disabled, light shows, art works inside and within the monuments will be carried out under the observation of the ASI.
On the occasion, the Government also awarded letter of intent to nine companies for 22 monuments/heritage sites across the country.
So far, 31 prospective monument mitras have been shortlisted by the Oversight and Vision Committee of the Tourism Ministry for developing tourist-friendly amenities at the sites. The scheme ‘Adopt a Heritage’ has been launched to preserve the rich cultural and natural heritage and to promote tourism across the country.