Delhi aims for World Heritage City title

The Delhi government is likely to submit a "tentative document" to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to be sent to the UNESCO so that Delhi city can be included in the 'tentative listing' for World Heritage City.

The Delhi government is likely to submit a "tentative document" to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to be sent to the UNESCO so that Delhi city can be included in the 'tentative listing' for World Heritage City.

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"Tentative document" is a term used for a lengthy set of formal papers that are sent to the ASI, which in turn forwards it to UNESCO for considering the site/city for its provisional list.

To present Delhi as a world heritage city, the Delhi Transport and Tourism Development Corporation (DTTDC) has been identified as a nodal agency. The government has already signed an MoU with conservation NGO Indian National Trust For Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) for this.

Chief minister Sheila Dikshit confirmed, "The DTTDC would work as the facilitator and INTACH Delhi chapter would carry out detailing work and prepare the lengthy document."

"The work for the tentative document is almost over and it would most probably be submitted early next week," INTACH Delhi chapter head AGK Menon said.

Things, however, will not end at submission of the papers. The ASI will first scan the document and if found complete in all respects, will forward it to the UNESCO.

If included in the listing, Delhi would be first such city in the country. With three world heritage sites, Delhi has far better stake than any other city in to be a world heritage city, a title that helps increased flow of foreign tourists.