The Hindu : Gangaikondacholapuram, Darasuram to be heritage sites

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 29, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Gangaikondacholapuram, Darasuram to be heritage sites

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUCHI Sept. 28. The UNESCO has accorded approval for declaring Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram `heritage sites' under the extension of monument programme, for conservation, preservation and protection of their heritage character, the Special Commissioner of the Town and Country Planning, S. Gurumurthy, has said.

Speaking at the World Tourism Day Celebrations organised by the State Tourism Department here last night, Dr. Gurumurthy said, the UNESCO as exemption has approved both the centres even though only one centre in a country in a year is given approval. The UNESCO had already declared Thanjavur a heritage site a few years ago.

The Brahadeeswara Temple at Gangaikondacholapuram was built by Rajendra Chola in the 11th century AD and the Darasuram Iravatheshwara temple by Raja Raja II in the 12th century AD.

Dr. Gurumurthy said, the Government has sanctioned Rs. 50 lakhs each for keeping the environment clean in eleven heritage centres, including Chidambaram, Poompuhar, Palani, Karaikudi, Gingee, Perur in the current year.

The main thrust would be creation of parking areas. If adequate land was not available, it has been planned to procure private land.

The Tourism Minister, A. Miller, said the Government has earmarked Rs. 12 crores for creating infrastructure at tourist spots in 14 districts. Under the Centre's integrated tourism promotion scheme, Kanyakumari, Rameswaram and Yercaud have been selected for creating additional facilities at a cost of Rs. 5 crores each this year. Under another special scheme, the Centre has identified Mamallapuram for developing it as a model tourist centre.

The department has proposed to encourage private entrepreneurs to invest in tourism-related activities and the department proposes to act as a facilitator rather than service provider. Initiatives have been taken to attract investments in mega-tourism projects by NRIs, multi-national corporations etc.

The Minister said it has been planned to construct three star hotels with private investment at Vailankanni, Nagore and Palani, set up sound and light shows at Kancheepuram, Mamallapuram and Thanjavur, installation of cable cars at Udhagamandalam, Kodaikanal and Kanyakumari.

The department has appointed marketing agents in foreign countries and has planned to develop travel circuits and tourist destinations identified by the Centre.

The State Information Minister, K. K. Balasubramaniam, the Tiruchi Collector, K. Manivasan, MLAs— R. Saroja, Mallika Sinnasamy, S. M. Balan, P. Annavi and others spoke.

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