Conservation of heritage stepwells state govt’s priority: Rajasthan Dy CM

Jaipur, Jan 22 (IANS) Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Diya Kumari on Thursday said that the conservation of heritage stepwells is a priority for the state government and that Shekhawati’s iconic havelis will be preserved, with Mandawa being developed as a model heritage town. 

Chairing a review meeting of pending cases of the Tourism and Arts and Culture Departments at Tourism Bhawan, Diya Kumari reviewed the progress of several key projects in the presence of Tourism Commissioner Rukmini Riyad.

These included the tourism mobile app, Amer Master Plan, digitisation of archives, media buying, Pratap Tourist Circuit, Pushkar Corridor, JKK tender, renovation of Ravindra Rangmanch, RTICE Board, land allotment for the MICE Centre, and the Albert Hall tender.

The Deputy Chief Minister directed officials to ensure the timely implementation of all projects as per approved timelines.

Reviewing the conservation work of Shekhawati’s havelis, Diya Kumari instructed officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan to develop Mandawa as a model for heritage conservation.

She also directed the formulation of a detailed strategy for the conservation of the state’s historic stepwells, along with the adoption of best practices from other successful conservation models.

In a meeting attended by officials from the UDH and LSG departments and representatives of the hotel industry, discussions were held on improving facilities for the hospitality sector and addressing industry concerns.

The Deputy Chief Minister emphasised that simplified land allotment procedures, faster approvals, licensing, fire NOCs, and other government clearances would enable the hotel industry to contribute more effectively to tourism growth. She stressed the need to prioritise single-window clearance mechanisms.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Diya Kumari said that significant work is already underway to conserve stepwells across Rajasthan, with several projects nearing completion.

She added that comprehensive documentation of all stepwell conservation efforts is being prepared, which will form the basis for identifying additional stepwells for future conservation.

She also noted that work related to the preservation of manuscripts - an important part of the state’s cultural heritage - is progressing, and necessary directions have been issued.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that budget announcements for the current financial year have been implemented effectively and that discussions were held on key proposals for inclusion in the upcoming budget.

Highlighting the need to strengthen tourism infrastructure, she said efforts are underway to improve road, rail, and air connectivity in the state.

Expanding air connectivity, she noted, would significantly boost tourist arrivals from both domestic and international markets. She added that the government is focused on upgrading facilities at tourist destinations and ensuring seamless services even during peak tourist seasons.

To meet growing demand, an assessment of hotel room inventory is being conducted, with plans to increase the number of three-star and four-star hotels across the state.

--IANS

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