Change visiting pattern of tourists at Ajanta: Experts

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Nov 18 (UNI) Archaeological experts have suggested change of visitor patterns and cleaning of the surface of the paintings at the world-famous Ajanta Caves, regarded as one of India's Oldest World Heritage monuments.

Talking to newspersons yesterday, member of an eight member Panel Of Experts (POE), Graham Brooks said the humidity caused by large number of tourists visiting caves was posing a threat to the heritage monument and suggested a change in the visiting pattern.

Mr Brooks also suggested limiting number of tourists visiting the original caves and supported the idea of constructing a replica of the caves to avoid rush at the original caves.

Dr R K Sharma, another member of the panel and Joint Director Archaeological Survey Of India (ASI), suggested that cleanliness of surface of the paintings be taken up.

Dr Sharma categorically said there was no deterioration of the world famous caves as compared to its status a decade ago and ruled out any threat to the heritage monuments.

However, he said that all the experts were unanimous on the issue of taking up the conservation work in order to keep the monuments intact in their origional shape.

The eight-member expert panel on a four-day visit to the heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora, have made a detailed survey and supervision of the monuments and a draft of suggestion for conservation would be submitted to the government soon.

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation's (MTDC) Executive Director Bhushan Gagrani told reporters on the occasion that the work of constructing replica of the Ajanta and Ellora had already been started along with construction of tourist complexes at both the places.

These are the steps the MTDC and the state government have initiated under the second phase of Ajanta-Ellora Conservation and Tourism Development plan.

The Japanese Bank of International Corporation (JBIC) has sanctioned an estimate of Rs 360 crore towards the second phase which includes Rs 40 crore for monument conservation and Rs 40 crore for modernisation of Aurangabad Airport.

Other works include construction of two important roads --Satkund-Pitalkhora and Bhusawal-Jamner-Pahur, besides the construction of replica of Ajanta and Ellora and Tourist Complexes.

To a question, Mr Gagrani expressed confidence of completing the second phase of work by year 2009.

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