Need to sensitise people on preservation of monuments: Soni

Lucknow, Dec 14 (UNI) Union Tourism and Culture minister Ambika Soni has stressed the need to sensitise people about preservation and conservation of monuments.

Addressing the meeting of the Consultative Committee Meeting of the Parliament attached to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture at Agra yesterday, she said, it was important that the people are sensitised about the preservation and conservation of heritage sites and monuments and to the needs of guests from foreign countries.

The Minister said the Centre would like to have better hotel facilities in public-private partnership (PPP) in the country, particularly at the major pilgrimage sites of all religions in the country.

Ms Soni also urged the members of the committee to identify tourism projects in their areas which are environment-friendly.

Responding to the suggestions of the members to strengthen the monitoring system of the tourism projects and conservation of monuments, she said local MPs will be invited during her or senior official's visit to the tourist projects for their suggestion and concerns, if any.

Creation of tourism infrastructure at World Heritage Sites is a priority for her Ministry and efforts are being made to have better co-ordination with various central ministries such as Civil Aviation, Railways, Surface Transport and Urban Development and respective state governments to execute these projects expeditiously, she asserted.

The Tourism Ministry has sent a presentation to the Prime Minister on the areas where better coordination is required among various central ministries for promotion of tourism and betterment of related infrastructure in the country.

Members who attended the meeting stressed the need to have better road and air connectivity, development of civic amenities and infrastructure and proper monitoring of funds released to complete different tourism related projects in the country.

UNI