(a) whether it is a fact that the Government proposes to develop ten prominent tourist sites as Iconic Tourism destinations through holistic infrastructure and skill development;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government plans to make the monuments accessible to differently-abled citizens and visitors friendly; and
(d) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)
(a) to (d): Pursuant to the Budget Announcements of 2018-19, Ministry of Tourism has identified 17 sites in 12 clusters in the country for development as Iconic Tourist Sites namely Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri (Uttar Pradesh), Ajanta & Ellora (Maharashtra), Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort & Qutub Minar (Delhi), Colva (Goa), Amer Fort (Rajasthan), Somnath & Dholavira (Gujarat), Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh), Hampi (Karnataka), Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu), Kaziranga (Assam), Kumarakom (Kerala) and Mahabodhi Temple (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 & branding and by bringing private investment.
The monuments taken up for development under the above project fall under the jurisdiction of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and State Archaeology Departments.
The Ministry will carry out interventions at the monuments in collaboration with the ASI and State Government and all development plans will have elements of universal accessibility, cleanliness at the monuments, use of Green Technology and enhanced security for the tourists.
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