Hyderabad visitors welcome Jaitley's move to resurrect historical tombs

Visitors to the Quli Qutb Shahi tombs complex in Hyderabad lauded Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's announcement that financial help would be extended for restoration work of the tombs.

Jaitley had, in his budget speech, said that heritage sites were 'still deficient and needed restoration, interpretation centres and plans for benefitting communities around them' and resources for the same would be provided to the Quli Qutb Shahi Tombs and eight other heritage sites in the country.

"These are the last remains of Quli Qutb Shah and they are our pride. It is great that now the Central Government will help with the restoration. We would love to keep coming back here," said Nafisa, a tourist.

Jaitley's announcement gains significance as Qutb Tombs along with other popular heritage sites including Charminar and Golconda Fort are vying for UNESCO World Heritage Site tag.

Meanwhile, historian Narendra Luther hoped for overall development of the entire complex.

"They have been improved incrementally, marginally from time to time. But I hope this time, the improvement will be wholesale and will cover all aspects of the tombs and their maintenance," said Luther.

The complex comprises of 70 monuments including 40 tombs, 23 mosques, five step wells and a hammam (bathing area).