Ministry of Tourism has identified 17 sites in 12 clusters in the country for development as Iconic Tourist Sites. These sites were identified in pursuant to the Budget Announcements of year 2018-19 and year 2019-20. This information was given by the Minister of State (I/c) of Culture and Tourism, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on March 16, 2020.
Iconic sites
17 Iconic sites are: 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).
Features
The Ministry of Tourism shall be developing the above sites in an integrated 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.
Availability of land free from all incumberances for the proposed developments under the scheme is the responsibility of the respective State Governments/UT administrations.
