Progress cannot take place at cost of heritage: Jaipur mayor

Progress cannot take place at the cost of heritage, Jaipur Mayor Nirmal Nahata today said as he asked authorities concerned to make coordinated efforts to conserve places of historic importance in the city.
Speaking at a talk show here on occasion of 'World Tourism Day', he said, "There is a need to keep the heritage of Jaipur's walled city as well as that of tourist spots like Amber, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar intact. Progress cannot be made at the cost of city's monuments."
He asked bodies such as Amber Development Authority, Jaipur Municipal Corporation, Jaipur Development Authority and the state government to work in coordination with each other to maintain the Pink City's charm and heritage for tourists.

He said parking, shifting of whole sale market, and traffic flow were still some of the major challenges for the city's development inside the walled city.
Also participating in the debate, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee's vice-president Archana Sharma said there should not be any new construction in the name of conservation of heritage property.
"A consolidated city plan and protection of heritage places should be the top priority of Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC)," she said.
Noting that Jaipur is known for its heritage of forts and palaces, former JMC Mayor Jyoti Khandelwal said, "People living in walled city should not be allowed to migrate to the city's outskirts. And, no new building complex or mall should be allowed inside if Jaipur's charm has to be maintained.