The IndianOil Foundation, a non-profit trust of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), has appointed Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to plan and develop several heritage sites in the country.
IOC has set up this foundation in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the National Culture Fund of the ministry of culture. The foundation has already identified five heritage sites -- Qutb Minar, Delhi; Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, Hampi in Karnataka, Kanheri Caves in Maharashtra and Konark in Orissa -- in phase-I of the plan.
TCS, which is expected to develop Kanheri Caves and Konark Temple, will be physically planning the entire look of these heritage sites. This involves improving the ambiance of the monuments by undertaking landscaping, signages, interpretation facilities in and around the monuments, upgrading electrical facilities for the illumination and lightings.
TCS is also considering to create an opportunity for audio and lighting shows.
The planning and development project for tourists sites is part of TCS' tourism industry practice, while the development and preservation of heritage sites is part of IOC's community service.
Considering the tourist traffic in these areas, IOC is planning to set up petrol stations with modern facilities near to the place.
Industry sources claim that it is a win-win situation for IOC as it intends to enhance its market share. IOC enjoys a market share of 51 per cent and has about 7,549 retail outlets (including 82 jubilee retail outlets) and 3,436 kerosene dealerships across the country.
Besides refuelling facilities for travellers, IOC's retail outlets near the heritage sites will have international amenities including motels and convenience stores.
Commander Bijur, head of the tourism industry practice at TCS, said: "Apart from the banking and financial services practice, tourism is also one of our major industry practices in the domestic market."
In totality, the domestic market contributes around 10 per cent to the total revenues of TCS which is around Rs 300 crore. However, the tourism industry practice contributes only around one per cent to the total revenues which works out to around Rs 30 crore.
"This is largely because we are as of now only catering to the domestic market and do not earn any export revenues," said Bijur.
IndianOil Foundation is being set up with a corpus of Rs 25 crore and a recurring annual contribution of Rs 10 crore from IOC. The foundation will fund all the archaeological works through the National Culture Fund to the ASI.
Other heritage sites considered by the foundation are Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra, Rani ki Wav in Gujarat and Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh.
