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Fight over Fort: UP to take up issue with Centre
ALLAHABAD FORT, an epitome of the city's glorious past, might be thrown open for the tourists. However, everything depends on the efforts of the State Tourism Department in convincing the Defence Minister . With an attempt to enhance the tourism scenario in the city, State Tourism Department is planning to send a proposal to the Defence Minister to take measures for Allahabad Fort to be vacated.
ALLAHABAD FORT, an epitome of the city's glorious past, might be thrown open for the tourists. However, everything depends on the efforts of the State Tourism Department in convincing the Defence Minister.
With an attempt to enhance the tourism scenario in the city, State Tourism Department is planning to send a proposal to the Defence Minister to take measures for Allahabad Fort to be vacated.
In a meeting held in Lucknow recently, State Tourism Minister Kokab Hameed put a proposal before the officials present in the meeting to develop Allahabad Fort as a flourishing tourist spot.
RK Yadav, regional tourist officer, who also attended the meeting informed that the State Tourism Minister stated his inclination of sending a letter in this regard to the Defence Minister and also to meet him personally afterwards in order to convince him.
Allahabad Fort is presently in occupation of Indian Army. "The tourism department plans to develop the fort built by Emperor Akbar, renovate it and open it for the tourists.
The interior structures of the fort are still not accessible to the tourists who visit the city. If the army vacates the fort then tourism department along with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will develop it as a tourist spot. Ashoka's pillar, Jodhabai's palace, Saraswati kup and several such significant architectural spots besides Akshayabat are barred from the eyes of the tourists," said Yadav.
The fort was built by Emperor Akbar in 1583 AD and it stands on the banks of Sangam. This huge, majestic fort has three magnificent galleries, flanked by high towers. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists who pour in from all the corners of the country and also from abroad during annual Magh Mela, are allowed to visit only the Patalpuri temple inside the fort.
It may be recalled that attempts of having the fort vacated were also made earlier in 2001 during the Maha Kumbh but without any success. Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) had also undertaken the issue as a sort of project but the attempt failed.
How far will this fresh endeavour succeeds is yet to be seen.
"We are hopeful that something fruitful will come out from the meeting with the Defence Minister as this step will change the entire tourism scenario in the city which is very necessary as it will boost the significance of the city. Tourism is gradually gaining strength in the country and emerging as a vast industry. Let's hope for the best," added the regional tourist officer.
