Common entry ticket makes access to monuments easy
New Delhi: Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh released common entry tickets for visitors to World Heritage sites and other protected monuments and sites at a function here on Wednesday. With a view to facilitating visitors and tourists buy entry tickets of
ASI monuments more conveniently and without hassle, the ASI issues a common entry
ticket for all its World Heritage sites and another one for its other
ticketed monuments. A specially designed entry ticket for Taj Mahal is also being
released. A visitor will be able to buy the entry tickets from any of
over 250 designated outlets. Besides the ASI offices and its ticketed monuments,
the common entry tickets would also be available at the outlets of ITDC, Department
of Tourism, Government of India. Hotels, travel agents and tour operators can
buy these tickets in bulk in advance for selling to their clients. A World Heritage site
(Except Taj Mahal) (Fatehpur Sikri, Humayun’s Tomb, Agra Fort, Red Fort, Qutub
Minar, Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Western Group of Temples at Khajuraho, Sun
Temple at Konarak, Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Elephanta Caves, Group of Temples -
Pattadakal, Group of Monuments - Hampi and Group of Monuments - Mamallapuram) - common entry ticket for a domestic visitor/tourist is at Rs.10/, common entry ticket for a SAARC/BIMSTEC visitor/tourist Rs.10/, common entry ticket for a foreign tourist Rs 250/.
For other ticketed monuments a common entry ticket for a domestic visitor/tourist costs Rs.5/, a common entry ticket for an SAARC & BIMSTEC visitor/tourist Rs.5/, a common entry ticket for a foreign tourist Rs.100/, and for Taj Mahal an entry ticket for a domestic visitor/tourist Rs.20/- (includes ADA toll tax of Rs.10/-), an entry ticket for an SAARC & BIMSTEC visitor/tourist Rs.510/- (includes ADA toll tax of Rs.500/-) and for foreign tourist Rs.750/- (includes ADA toll tax of Rs.500/-). From time immemorial, India has been known as a land of rich cultural heritage, which has withstood
the test of time. Today we can find reflection of the bygone era in our monuments.
The monuments signify the heritage of India, its vibrancy and richness. Indian heritage
sites, which are the finest gifts to world from India, have gained immense popularity
amongst the travelers of the world. The challenges in promoting these sites lie both in
successfully preserving and making them accessible to domestic and international
travelers. The common ticketing system will make these priceless monuments and sites
easily accessible to the visitors. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the
Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the archaeological researches and
protection of the cultural heritage of the nation. Maintenance of ancient monuments and
archaeological sites and remains of national importance is one of the prime mandate of the
ASI. Besides, it regulates all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions
of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and the
Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972. For the maintenance of ancient monuments and
archaeological sites and remains declared as of national importance, the country is divided
into 5 regions and 24 circles. The organization has trained archaeologists, conservators,
epigraphists, horticulturists, architects and scientists for conducting archaeological
research conservation and day-to-day maintenance, development and other related
activities through its Circles, Excavation Branches, Prehistory Branch, Epigraphy
Branches, Science Branch, Horticulture Branch, Building Survey Project, Temple
Survey Projects and Underwater Archaeology Wing. The Institute of Archaeology,
an adjunct of the Archaeological Survey of India, raises young professionals to
take up assignments in various field of archaeology and related fields.
