Statue of Unity, Konark on list of iconic sites

New Delhi, March 16

The government has added two new sites under the list of “iconic tourism sites” that it is developing to provide international-level facilities.

Prahlad Singh Patel, MoS (Independent charge) Tourism, told the Lok Sabha that a detailed report had been prepared as regards 17 iconic sites. Now, Konark temple (Odisha) and Statue of Unity (Gujarat) have been added to the list, thus taking the number to 19. There might be more additions to the list, Patel said speaking on the budgetary allocation of his department.

Last year, the ministry had identified 17 sites in 12 clusters in the country for development as Iconic Tourism Sites, including Taj Mahal.

Patel said in the Lok Sabha today that there was a need to correct perception about tourism. The government, he said, had opened additional 127 Himalayan peaks for climbers. The focus on North-East and tourist flow has increased. — TNS