Maha govt, ASI join hands to develop facilities near monuments

Mumbai, Aug 24 (PTI) The Maharashtra government todayinked a pact with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) todevelop and create facilities for tourists in and around’centrally’ protected monuments and sites in the state. This is the first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)ASI has signed with any tourism board in the country, anofficial release said. "This is great step to develop infrastructure for theuse of tourists in and around ‘Centrally’ protected monumentsand sites under jurisdiction of ASI in Maharashtra," stateTourism Minister Jaykumar Rawal said. "The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation(MTDC) will explore the possibility of public–privatepartnership (PPP) mode for implementation of projects orfunding," said the Minister. Under this MoU, a representative of Maharashtragovernment will be responsible for preparing proposals orproject reports for providing tourists amenities in and around’Centrally’ protected monuments in the state with suggestionsincorporated from the Superintending Archaeologist, ASI underwhose jurisdiction, the site falls. "Maharashtra has many historic monuments and touristsfrom across the world look forward to experience such places.By associating with ASI, we will provide facilities with goodinfrastructure to boost tourism in the state," MaharashtraPrincipal Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Valsa Nair Singhsaid. "Through this MoU, we will be allowed to arrangefestivals like ‘Fort Festival’ or ‘Diwali on Forts’ or onsimilar theme in and around ‘Centrally’ protected monuments.Some of the important festivals are proposed on Raigad Fort,Sindhudurg Fort, Shivneri Fort, Rajgad Fort and PratapgadFort," Nair added. PTI SM NRB KUNBAS