NEW DELHI, July 24 – The government will launch the Clean India campaign at the world famous heritage site of Taj Mahal on Wednesday, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
The move is aimed at providing a hygienic environment in and around India’s tourist destinations and to attract more visitors.
Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi will launch the campaign at Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh in partnership with the Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC).
The first campaign was launched at Qutab Minar in Delhi on June 19 last year.
ONGC has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tourism Ministry to adopt and maintain the environs of Taj Mahal complex, including upgrading tourist facilities as part of its corporate social responsibility.
It will also be responsible for keeping the heritage site clean, manage landscaping and garbage clearance, and maintain uniform signages in and around the premises, among others.
Besides Taj Mahal, the ONGC will adopt five other monuments, including the Ellora and Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra, Red Fort in Delhi, Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad, and Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu.
It will also help in setting up tourist help desks and deployment of volunteers for better management of the sites.
The Clean India campaign is hoped to help achieve 12 percent growth of tourist arrival in the government’s 12th five-year plan.
Some 5.7 million foreign tourists visit India every year.
– BERNAMA
