Rajasthan’s Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister, Diya Kumari, highlighted the state government’s commitment to preserving heritage stepwells and iconic havelis in Shekhawati. She emphasized the development of Mandawa as a model heritage town during a review meeting at Tourism Bhawan. The meeting, chaired by Diya Kumari and attended by Tourism Commissioner Rukmini Riyad, discussed various key projects, including the tourism mobile app and the renovation of cultural sites.
Diya Kumari instructed officials to expedite the implementation of projects within the approved timelines. She specifically focused on the conservation of Shekhawati’s havelis and directed the preparation of a detailed plan for Mandawa’s heritage conservation. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of preserving the state’s historic stepwells and adopting successful conservation strategies from other models.
During the meeting, officials from different departments and representatives from the hotel industry discussed enhancing hospitality facilities and addressing industry concerns. Diya Kumari stressed the need for streamlined procedures for land allotment, approvals, and clearances to boost the hotel industry’s contribution to tourism growth. She highlighted the significance of single-window clearance mechanisms for efficient operations.
Speaking to the press post-meeting, Diya Kumari mentioned the ongoing conservation efforts for stepwells across Rajasthan, with several projects nearing completion. She informed about the documentation of these efforts to identify more stepwells for future conservation. The preservation of manuscripts, a crucial aspect of the state’s cultural heritage, is also progressing well, with necessary directives issued.
Diya Kumari expressed satisfaction with the effective implementation of budget announcements for the current fiscal year. Discussions were held on crucial proposals for the upcoming budget, focusing on strengthening tourism infrastructure, including improving road, rail, and air connectivity in the state. She highlighted the potential of enhanced air connectivity to attract more tourists from domestic and international markets. Efforts are underway to upgrade facilities at tourist spots for a seamless experience, even during peak seasons.
To meet the rising demand, an evaluation of hotel room availability is ongoing, with plans to increase the number of three-star and four-star hotels across Rajasthan.
