Budget: 10 sites to be made 'iconic tourism' destinations

The Centre today proposed to develop 10 prominent tourist sites into "iconic tourism destinations" by following a holistic approach, besides enhancing amenities at 100 Adarsh monuments under the ASI.
Presenting the Union Budget, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also said that to preserve and revitalise the soul of heritage cities, the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) had been taken up in a "major way".
"In the current year, we included, in the scope of harmonised list of infrastructure, ropeways to promote tourism, logistics parks and expanded the scope of railways infrastructure to include development of commercial land around railway stations," he said in his speech.

The budget proposed to build tourism facilities by capitalising on the cultural wealth of the country.
"It is proposed to develop 10 prominent tourist sites into iconic tourism destinations by following a holistic approach, involving infrastructure and skill development, development of technology, attracting private investment, branding and marketing," Jaitley said.
"In addition, tourist amenities at 100 Adarsh monuments of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will be upgraded to enhance visitor experience," he added.

Adarsh monuments are specially designated heritage sites under the ASI, where emphasis is laid on sanitation, and enhanced facilities for visitors.
The finance minister also stressed on the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) programme that also focuses on providing water supply to all households in 500 cities.

"State level plans of Rs 77,640 crore for 500 cities have been approved. Water supply contracts for 494 projects worth Rs 19,428 crore and sewerage work contract for 272 projects costing Rs 12,429 crore has been awarded," he said.