3 New Delhi monuments to be developed as model sites

NEW DELHI: Delhi's three world heritage sites—Humayun's Tomb, Red Fort and Qutub Minar—will be further developed as 'model heritage sites'. These will be part of 25 monuments chosen for the scheme that aims to equip them with everything from Wi-Fi to interpretation centres, just like abroad.

The decision was announced by culture minister Mahesh Sharma while inaugurating e-ticketing facilities and a helpline for visitors to Taj Mahal and Humayun's Tomb on Friday. He also inaugurated a book on Delhi's monuments in Braille.

As part of the project, each monument will have wheelchair access, proper signage, drinking water, CCTVs, etc. "The 'sab chalta hai' attitude won't go on now," Sharma added at the inauguration on Good Governance Day.

The other monuments to be developed are: Taj Mahal; Leh Palace in Jammu and Kashmir; Hazarduari Palace in West Bengal; Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram; Elephanta Caves and Daulatabad Fort in Maharashtra; Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajasthan; Rani-ki-vav in Gujarat; Fatehpur Sikri as well as Sravasti and Sarnath in UP; Hampi in Karnataka; Jageshwar temples in Uttarakhand; Vaishali-Kolhua in Bihar; Khajuraho and Mandu in Madhya Pradesh; Martand Sun Temple in Kashmir; Brihadeeswarar Temple in Tamil Nadu; St Angelo Fort in Kerala; Masrur Rock Cut Temple in Himachal Pradesh; Rang Ghar in Assam and Konark Sun Temple in Odisha.