Identified 17 sites for development under iconic tourist sites development project: Alphons

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The Ministry of Tourism has identified 17 sites in 12 clusters in the country for development under the Iconic Tourist Sites Development Project, Minister K J Alphons said today in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The 17 sites are TajMahal and Fatehpur Sikri in Uttar Pradesh, Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra, Humayun's Tomb, Red Fort and Qutub Minar in Delhi, Colva beach in Goa, Amer Fort in Rajasthan, Somnath and Dholavira in Gujarat, Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, Hampi in Karnataka, Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, Kaziranga in Assam, Kumarakom in Kerala and Mahabodhi in Bihar.

"The ministry shall be developing the above sites in a holistic manner with focus on issues concerning connectivity to the destination, better facilities/experience for the tourists at the site, skill development, involvement of local community, promotion and branding, and by bringing in private investment," Alphons told the Upper House.

The monuments taken up for development under the Iconic Tourist Sites Development Project fall under the jurisdiction of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and State Archaeology Departments.

Alphons said the ministry will carry out interventions at these monuments in collaboration with the ASI and the state government concerned, and all development plans will have elements of universal accessibility, cleanliness at the monuments, use of green technology and enhanced security for tourists.