Dalmia Bharat to adopt Red Fort, Andhra's Gandikota Fort
24 Apr 2018
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Dalmia Bharat has signed an MoU with the tourism ministry and the Archaeological Survey of India under the government’s “Adopt a Heritage” project, and agreed to adopt the iconic Red Fort monument in new Delhitand the Gandikota Fort in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.
The Adopt a Heritage Scheme’ (apni dharohar apni pehchan project) was launched by President Ram Nath Kovind on World Tourism Day on 27th September 2017. Under it, private, public sector companies and corporate individuals are invited to adopt heritage sites and to take up responsibility to promote sustainable tourism through conservation and development under their corporate social responsibility activities.
With a budget of over Rs5 crore per year, Dalmia Bharat Limited joins 'monument mitras' from other various private sector companies that will look after the operations and the maintenance of this heritage site for the next five years.
“Adopting a Heritage Project is a unique endeavour by ministry of tourism in developing monuments, heritage and tourist sites across India to enhance their tourism potential and cultural importance. We look forward to adding value to India’s heritage sites in every possible manner,” said Puneet Dalmia, managing director, Dalmia Bharat Group.
The first of its kind adoption enables Dalmia Bharat to construct, landscape, illuminate and maintain activities related to provision and development of tourist amenities. This includes various basic and advanced amenities such as public conveniences, clean drinking water, cleanliness of the monument, accessibility for all, signage, cloakroom facilities, illumination and night viewing, surveillance system, tourist facilitation cum interpretation centre among others.
Sundeep Kumar, Executive Director, Dalmia Bharat said, “we will endeavour to make Red Fort a world-class monument in terms of amenities and experience. Such initiatives will enhance the tourist experience, resulting in more footfall from both domestic and foreign tourists. ”
In addition to this, Dalmia Bharat will also introduce other key amenities for the visitors like App-based multi lingual audio-guide, digital interactive kiosk, LED screening, free W-Fi and cafetaria along with souvenir shop which will help in promoting local art and crafts. Keeping in mind easy accessibility to the differently-abled visitors, there will be ramps and toilet facilities for the differently-abled. Facilities like wheelchairs, battery-operated vehicles, braille signages are some of the key additions, which will make Red Fort a barrier-free monument.
The company said in a sttement, advanced surveillance system like PTZ based CCTV cameras will also be installed as permissible guidelines as per ASI. Dalmia Bharat will also assist in controlling the advanced tourist flow management system linked with carrying capacity of the monuments including light and sound shows with regular cultural shows and facilitation of night visits to the monuments.
