NEW DELHI, INDIA, August 3, 2008: Shri S. Banerjee, Tourism Secretary, along with Shri E.K. Bharat Bhushan, Joint Secretary & Financial Advisor and Smt. Leena Nandan, Joint Secretary made a site visit on July, 24 & 25, 2008 to review the progress of Ajanta Ellora Conservation & Tourism Development Project. The second phase of the project covers restoration of Ajanta Ellora Caves and other monuments in Aurangabad city which include Bibi Ka Maqbara, Pitalkhora Caves, Aurangabad Caves, Daulatabad Fort, Patnadevi Temple etc. The works to be carried out at these places include structural reinforcement, chemical conservation of the paintings, upgrading the environment and improvement of visitor management systems.
As part of the project, construction of Visitor Management Centers at Ajanta and Ellora are also being undertaken. Apart from the construction of buildings, the Visitor Centers would include multi-media exhibition works and facilities for the tourists visiting Ajanta Ellora Caves. These visitor Centers have been designed to give the tourists a unique experience and information about historical, cultural importance of the Ajanta Ellora Cave Complexes which have been accorded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO.