Aurangabad, Nov 13:
The Aurangabad Tourism Development Foundation ( ATDF ) has submitted a memorandum to the state''s principal secretary (Tourism and Culture) and demanded to re-open the monuments in and around Aurangabad - the Tourism capital of Maharashtra - immediately.
The letter duly signed by the chairman of ATDF''s Public Relations & Civil Aviation Committee, Sunit Kothari, sent to the principal secretary (Tourism and culture) Valsa Nair Singh. He highlighted how the tourism industry in Aurangabad is going through rough weather and lean phase due to closure of monuments for the past seven months.
Kothari underlined the tourism industry had collapsed. Hence there is an urgent need for prompt action from the key authorities concerned for its revival. He requested the principal secretary to convey orders to the divisional commissioner and the collector to re-open the monuments with all safety measures relating to Covid-19.
The lives of thousands of persons associated with the sector, directly and indirectly, had come to a grinding halt. They are facing financial difficulties. Adding to the woes, the staff working with the tourism service providers are on the verge of starving due to unemployment and for want of money. The state government is taking appropriate measures to unlock the situation in phases.
It had granted permission for the operations of Airlines, Hotels, Restaurants, Malls, Shops, Offices, Industries, Cinema Theatres etc.
Tourism is the only sector which is now waiting for immediate and urgent attention of the state government under Mission Begin Again. ATDF will highly appreciate it if the monuments are also allowed to re-open, soon.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) headquarters had already granted permissions for the re-opening of monuments. Accordingly, the world heritage Taj Mahal, which is largely visited, has been opened for tourists with all standard operating procedures (SoP)s in place. Many other states had also re-opened the monuments in their jurisdictions.
The ASI (Aurangabad Circle) will re-open the monuments only after local administration issues orders to them. The tourism associates will adhere to all measures, maintain social distancing, take safety precautions etc. The permission will help the industry to revive its business and give a new lease of life.