ASI to re-open heritage sites, monuments from today; DDMA okays after reviewing situation

Aurangabad, June 15:

The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) today has okayed the re-opening of all the monuments and heritage sites in the district, except religious structures listed as protected, from tomorrow (June 16). Accordingly, the world heritage sites - Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves - Bibi ka Maqbara, Daulatabad Fort, and Aurangabad Caves in the custodianship of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI, Aurangabad Circle) will be re-open for the visitors from Wednesday.

The DDMA held the meeting at the district collectorate today evening. The president and district collector Sunil Chavan, police officials, health officials, and ASI's assistant superintendent Kishore Solapurkar were present in the meeting. Acting upon the decision, the ASI (Aurangabad Circle) alerted all the sub-circles. The superintending archaeologist (Aurangabad Circle) Milan Kumar Chauley ordered the head of each monument to re-open with appropriate measures and SOPs.It may be noted that the ASI was already on the toes to welcome the tourists and visitors at the monuments. With this motive, the cleaning of the interior and exterior portions of each monument and maintaining their respective gardens was going on for the past many months, said the ASI sources.

Earlier, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI, New Delhi) has decided to re-open all its centrally protected monuments, sites, and museums, which were closed due to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic situation in the country, from June 16. The Director (Monuments) N K Pathak, in its order issued on June 14 underlined that the final decision on re-opening of monuments, however, has to be taken by each circle, in consultation with the respective District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).

The heritage sites and monuments in the jurisdiction of Aurangabad district were closed from March 11, this year due to the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic situation, said the sources.

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State's protected monuments to remain close

It may be noted that the State Archaeology has a large number of protected monuments and heritage sites in the district. However, these places will continue to remain close till the issuance of an order by the state government.

When contacted the assistant director Ajit Khandare said, " The monuments protected by ASI (Aurangabad Circle) are re-opening from tomorrow. The monuments and sites in our jurisdiction will remain close until the release of order from the State Government to re-open them. We are ready to welcome tourists and are hopeful of receiving the fresh orders in a couple of days."