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Preserve beauty of Mamallapuram, HC tells Tamil Nadu, Centre

CHENNAI: Post the Modi-Xi meeting, all good things are happening to the ancient town of Mamallapuram . On Monday, the Madras high court suo motu initiated a PIL to preserve the beauty of the town, safeguard its monuments and protect tourists visiting them.

A division bench of Justice Vineet Kothari and Justice C Saravanan initiated the proceedings on the basis of a note written by Justice N Kirubakaran to protect the site.



Stressing on the need to safeguard the monuments, the bench directed the Union ministry of tourism, Archaeological Survey of India, Epigraphical Society of India and the Tamil Nadu government to file a report on the steps taken and funds allotted to protect the site by December 11.

Asserting that tourism should be developed in such a manner that it generates very good revenue for the exchequer, Justice Kirubakaran wanted the authorities to consider a list of suggestions which includes establishment of a separate wing or separate police station with officers well-versed in English to deal with complaints from foreigners and to prevent political parties and other organisations from erecting boards or flag posts.

“Tourist guides should be authorised/approved by the ASI and the tourism department and the number of guides available should be increased as it is stated that Tamil Nadu tops the table in tourism with 28% of tourists visiting the state,” the judge said.

Hotels and lodges should be maintained properly so that tourists are provided with hygienic food and clean potable water. Periodical inspections by quality inspectors would also go a long way in ensuring hygiene. Transport facilities available to the tourists should also be made affordable and safety measures have to be provided to them, he added.

The judge also wanted the authorities to take steps to deal with touts, business people and transporters fleecing tourists with an iron hand. Multilingual toll-free numbers have to be made available for tourists.

Justice Kirubakaran wanted the authorities to consider declaring Mamallapuram a heritage town in view of the presence of such monuments. “Excavations being made in various sites shall be continued. Excavation of all ancient sites in India should be done. Stone inscriptions and palm manuscripts should be preserved, digitalised and published by the Epigraphical Society of India,” he said.

This apart, unnoticed/uncared inscription in various parts of the country have to be found and preserved. Reports about excavated sites should be regularly published by ASI. Governments shall establish carbon-dating laboratory at Chennai, as many archaeological sites are located in the southern part of the country, the judge said in his note.

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