Nellore’s Heritage Sites Need Tourism Push, Says Beeda Masthan Rao
Under the programme, facilities such as toilets, drinking water, rest areas, walking paths, dustbins, signage, lighting and sound-and-light shows can be developed and maintained by approved ‘Monument Mitras’ under ASI supervision.
Nellore:Rajya Sabha member Dr Beeda Masthan Rao Yadav has urged the Centre to bring heritage sites in Nellore district under the ‘Adopt a Heritage 2.0’ programme to improve visitor facilities and promote tourism.
The Union government has informed the Rajya Sabha that the initiative, implemented by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), aims to improve visitor amenities at heritage monuments and archaeological sites of national importance through partnerships with private companies, PSUs, NGOs, trusts and other organisations.
Under the programme, facilities such as toilets, drinking water, rest areas, walking paths, dustbins, signage, lighting and sound-and-light shows can be developed and maintained by approved ‘Monument Mitras’ under ASI supervision.
In a written reply to Masthan Rao’s question, Union culture and tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said no proposal had so far been received to adopt any protected archaeological monument or heritage site in Nellore district.
Masthan Rao urged the Centre and state government to identify and develop Nellore’s historical and cultural sites, improve road connectivity, signage, cleanliness and visitor amenities, and integrate them with tourism to attract domestic and international visitors.
He said he would coordinate with the Centre and state governments to take forward suitable proposals for preserving and promoting Nellore’s heritage.
