Rs 300-cr loan okayed for Ajanta-Ellora

MUMBAI: The second phase of the Ajanta-Ellora conservation and tourism development project is set to take off soon, with the Japanese Bank of International Co-operation (JBIC) sanctioning a soft loan of Rs 300 crores on Thursday.
The loan clearance was announced after the JBIC held a series of talks with the central department of Tourism and Culture and the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) in Delhi over the last few days.
The first phase of the Ajanta-Ellora heritage circuit upgradation scheme was completed a few months ago and won appreciation not only from the Japanese but also from Unesco. The second phase envisages taking forward the conservation and development schemes initiated in the first phase, and is estimated to cost Rs 360 crores. The remaining Rs 60 crores will be brought in by the various agencies like the Archaeological Survey of India, Airports Authority of India and five state government agencies.
According to Ashish Kumar Singh, managing director of the MTDC (the nodal agency for the project), the second phase will be completed in five years’ time and will generate additional employment in the Aurangabad-Ajanta area.
This time, the funds are being utilised for not only the restoration of the Ajanta and Ellora caves but for the entire cave circuit of Maharashtra, which stretches from Mumbai to Aurangabad, Mr Singh told TNN. The plan envisages
development and repairs in the Elephanta caves, Nasik Ghat, Malshej Ghat, the Shivneri fort as well as forts around Bhaja and Bedsa.
Aurangabad’s fabulous but long-neglected heritage monuments will also be spruced up. These include the Bibi-ka-Maqbara, Soneri Mahal, Delhi Gate, Makai Gate, Bhadkal Gate, the Aurangabad, Pithalkora and Daulatabad caves and the Patnadevi temple. The work to be carried out at these places includes structural reinforcement, chemical conservation of the paintings and artifacts, prevention of percolation within the caves, upgrading the environment, training conservation staff and improving visitor management systems.
Another major area of development will be the Lonar Crater, one of the oldest meteoric craters in the world (near Buldana). Last year, the MTDC built a resort near the crater to attract tourists. Now, it plans to clean up the ancient temples on the beach of the crater and create heritage walks while simultaneously protecting the lake and wooded environs of the crater.
Another important project that will be completed in the second phase is upgrading Aurangabad airport into an international airport. Over a third of the 600,000 tourists who visit Ajanta-Ellora every year are from abroad, particularly from Japan. About 100,000 Japanese pilgrims visit the Buddhist sites in India annually.