CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu has the third-highest number of monuments and heritage sites in the country, all built by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), but most of them lack even basic amenities, a reply to the Lok Sabha has revealed. Out of 412 such sites in the state, drinking water is available at only 78 places and toilets are available in 26 monuments.
in answer to a question in ParliamentRecently in the lower house of the Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy said that 283 monuments had access roads and 23 had parking facilities. While only one monument has Wi-Fi facility, none has an audio guide/app based guide, the reply said, adding that 116 monuments in the state have signage. The reply said that only 21 monuments have benches.
There is a stark contrast in the maintenance of centrally protected monuments at Mamallapuram and Sadaras on the East Coast Road.ECR) While the UNESCO-marked sites at Mamallapuram, which include the famous Waterfront Temple, have been provided with basic amenities such as drinking water, parking lots and toilets, such facilities are distinguished by their absence at the equally famous Dutch Fort and Cemetery at Sadras Huh. , just 10 kms from Mamallapuram.
When contacted, the ASI told TOI that access roads have been provided for 133 monuments in almost all monuments in Chennai circle, while boundary wall of monuments in Trichy circle is being provided in a phased manner. ASI’s response states that ASI’s capacity and available financial resources have been strategically optimized, while providing facilities and facilities to the general public.
But tourism sector stakeholders stressed that non-availability of such facilities discourages travellers, especially those coming from abroad. R Stalin, a tourist guide based in Mamallapuram, said that Sadr did not even have signs on the ECR to instruct people traveling between Mamallapuram and Puducherry to break their journey and explore the nearly 400-year-old fort. “Dutch forts have absolutely zero facilities for visitors. A section of travelers show interest in visiting such sites, but basic facilities are absent for them,” he said.
Tamil Nadu Travel Travel & hospitality association President V Katie Balno He said that ASI should extend the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project to other sites to promote facilities in such monuments under CSR funds.
in answer to a question in ParliamentRecently in the lower house of the Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy said that 283 monuments had access roads and 23 had parking facilities. While only one monument has Wi-Fi facility, none has an audio guide/app based guide, the reply said, adding that 116 monuments in the state have signage. The reply said that only 21 monuments have benches.
There is a stark contrast in the maintenance of centrally protected monuments at Mamallapuram and Sadaras on the East Coast Road.ECR) While the UNESCO-marked sites at Mamallapuram, which include the famous Waterfront Temple, have been provided with basic amenities such as drinking water, parking lots and toilets, such facilities are distinguished by their absence at the equally famous Dutch Fort and Cemetery at Sadras Huh. , just 10 kms from Mamallapuram.
When contacted, the ASI told TOI that access roads have been provided for 133 monuments in almost all monuments in Chennai circle, while boundary wall of monuments in Trichy circle is being provided in a phased manner. ASI’s response states that ASI’s capacity and available financial resources have been strategically optimized, while providing facilities and facilities to the general public.
But tourism sector stakeholders stressed that non-availability of such facilities discourages travellers, especially those coming from abroad. R Stalin, a tourist guide based in Mamallapuram, said that Sadr did not even have signs on the ECR to instruct people traveling between Mamallapuram and Puducherry to break their journey and explore the nearly 400-year-old fort. “Dutch forts have absolutely zero facilities for visitors. A section of travelers show interest in visiting such sites, but basic facilities are absent for them,” he said.
Tamil Nadu Travel Travel & hospitality association President V Katie Balno He said that ASI should extend the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project to other sites to promote facilities in such monuments under CSR funds.
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