After row over development plan, CM says not for forts with

The Maharashtra government's plan to promote tourism facilities on forts which are not in ASI's protected list came under fire on Friday, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarifying that the forts which have links to Chhatrapati Shivaji will be excluded.

The government will not allow anyone "to touch a single fort which is linked to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj", Fadnavis told reporters in Pune late Friday night.

The opposition parties said earlier in the day that the plan to 'rent out forts for heritage hotels and wedding venues' was an insult to Shivaji Maharaj.

There are about 350 forts in Maharashtra and the development plan will give impetus to local economy, state Tourism Secretary Vinita Singhal had told PTI.

"We don't plan to touch heritage forts which have historical value and are protected under the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) like the Raigad fort. The state government has already budgeted over Rs 500 crore for its upgradation," she said.

Speaking in Pune, chief minister Fadnavis said, "No such permission will be given for the forts which are linked to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha kingdom."