VISION TOURISM 2020 - Aurangabad District

Total 161,500 159,820 127,092
3 Afforestation FD 31,240 33,000 27,060 Completed
4 Roads PWD 435,360 539,870 442,693 Completed
5 Water Supply and
Sewerage
MJP 51960 58,814 48,227 Completed
6 Electric Power Supply MSEB 32,320 23,824 19,536 Completed
7 Visitor Management
System
MTDC 27,340 6,010 4,928 Completed
MOT 9,400 3,620 3,620 Completed
Extended Phase-I
Total 587,620 665,138 546,066
1 Monument
Conservation
ASI 89,600 85,192 69,857 Completed
2 Aurangabad Airport AAI 9,000 6,924 5,678 Completed
Total 98,600 92,116 75,535
3 Afforestation FD 13,600 11,255 9,229 Completed
4 Roads PWD 124,400 195,565 160,438 Completed
5 Visitor
System
Management MTDC 200,100 154,678 126,836 Completed
MOT - 2,862 2,862 Complete
Total 338,100 364,451 299,365
Grand
Total
436,700 456,567 374,900
Total 1,185,820 1,281,525 1,048,057
AJANTA ELLORA CONSERVATION AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Phase - II
The second phase of the Ajanta-Ellora conservation and tourism development project with the Japanese Bank
of International Co-operation (JBIC) sanctioning a soft loan of Rs.300 crores has become effective from July 31, 2003.
The loan clearance was announced after the JBIC held a series of talks with the central department of Tourism
and Culture and the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) in Delhi. The first phase of the Ajanta -
Ellora heritage circuit up gradation scheme has won appreciation not only from the Japanese but also from UNESCO.
The second phase envisages taking forward the conservation and a development scheme initiated in the first phase, and is
estimated to Rs.360 crores. The remaining Rs.60 crores will be brought in by various agencies like the Archaeological
Survey of India, Airport Authority of India and five state government agencies.
The second phase will be completed in five year time and will generate additional employment in the
Aurangabad Ajanta area. This time, the funds are being utilize for not only the restoration of the Ajanta and Ellora caves
but for the entire cave circuit of Maharashtra, which streches from Mumbai to Aurangabad. The plan envisages
development and repair in the Elephanta caves, Nasik Ghat, Malshej Ghat, the Shivneri fort as well as forts around Bhaja
and Bedsa. Aurangabad's fabulous but long-neglected heritage monuments will also be spruced up. These include the
Bibi-ka-Maqbara, Soneri Mahal, Delhi Gate, Makai Gate, Bhadkal Gate, in the Aurangabad. Pitalkhora caves,
Daulatabad Fort and the Patnadevi temple. The work to be carried out at these places includes structural reinforcement,
chemical conservation of the paintings and artifacts, preservation of percolation within the caves, upgrading the
environment, training conservation staff and improving visitor management system.
Another major area of development will be the Lonar Crater, one of the oldest meteorite impact crater in the
world (in Buldhana District). Last year, the MTDC built a resort near the crater to attract tourists. Now it plans to clean
up the ancient temples on the beach of the lake in the crater and create heritage walks while simultaneously protecting the
lake and wooded environs of the crater. Another important project that will be completed in the second phase is upgrading
Aurangabad airport into an international airport.
AJANTA ELLORA CONSERVATION AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Phase - II
Type of work Estimated cost Implementing Agency
39