Source: indianexpress.com
During her Budget speech earlier this month, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamansaid that 17 “Iconic Tourist Sites” in the country would be developed by the government “into world class tourist destinations, to serve as a model for other tourism sites”. The initiative was aimed at enhancing India’s soft power.
The Sites
Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri (Uttar Pradesh), Ajanta & Ellora (Maharashtra), Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort and Qutub Minar (Delhi), Colva (Goa), Amer Fort (Rajasthan), Somnath and Dholavira (Gujarat), Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh), Hampi (Karnataka), Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu), Kaziranga (Assam), Kumarakom (Kerala) and the Mahabodhi Temple (Bihar).
The Vision
Union Tourism and Culture Minister Prahlad Patel told The Indian Express, “The government is looking at overall development from the tourism point of view in and around these sites — which includes roads and infrastructure, hotels and lodges, connectivity and access”. As such, several ministries, from Railways to Civil Aviation, will be involved, while the Tourism Ministry will be the nodal agency. In keeping with international standards, interventions in and around the monuments will have elements of universal accessibility, green technology, and enhanced security for tourists.
The Funding
The Tourism Ministry has been allocated Rs 1,378 crore for the development of tourism infrastructure. This is only marginally more than the allocations in 2017-18 (Rs 1,151 crore) and 2018-19 (Rs 1,330 crore).
Role of ASI
A spokesperson of the Archaeological Survey of India told The Indian Express, “We have not yet received any plan or proposal from the Tourism Ministry about the project mentioned in the Budget… Meanwhile, upgradation and facelift projects at many of these listed sites are already on; some such as Red Fort and Qutub Minar even nearing completion”.
Status of ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme
Many of these monuments were opened up for adoption in late 2017 under the Ministry of Tourism’s Adopt a Heritage scheme. The Red Fort was adopted by the Dalmia Group, while the Qutub Minar and the Ajanta Caves were adopted by YatraOnline. But the momentum of the scheme has slowed down since, and only 11 MoUs have been signed so far.
I am a travel writer and regional storyteller dedicated to documenting the culture, heritage, daily life, and travel experiences of Bihar. Through Mera Apna Bihar, I share local insights, real travel stories, and on-ground experiences that highlight the true spirit of Bihar for readers, travelers, and culture enthusiasts.
In addition to regional storytelling, I curate travel narratives and destination experiences through HolidayLandmark Stories, where journeys, city moments, and authentic travel experiences are documented in a story-driven format:
I also manage a growing network of city-focused travel platforms where I regularly publish daily travel logs capturing real-time journeys, local discoveries, and everyday experiences across India:
- Bangalore Orbit – Daily Logs
- Bhopal Orbit – Daily Logs
- Chennai Orbit – Daily Logs
- Gujarat Orbit – Daily Logs
- Kerala Orbit – Daily Logs
- Mera Apna Bihar – Daily Logs
- Mumbai Orbit – Daily Logs
For readers seeking deeper insights, curated content, and structured travel information, I also publish city blogs and destination guides across multiple platforms:
- Bangalore Orbit – Blog
- Bhopal Orbit – Blog
- Chennai Orbit – Blog
- Gujarat Orbit – Blog
- Kerala Orbit – Blog
- Mera Apna Bihar
- Mumbai Orbit – Blog
Through this interconnected network, my goal is to preserve regional stories, promote local culture, and provide authentic travel information that reflects the real experiences of people and places across Bihar and India.