Bharat is endowed with rich and diverse natural, historical and cultural resources. It is a palette of different cultures and traditions, arts and handicrafts, music, literature, and architectural styles etc.
The culture of the land lives in its people. The history of cultural existence, the resilience to sustain it and dedicated valour for its upkeep transpires from one generation to another.
Preservation and Revitalisation of the Heritage and the heritage sites is a sacred duty of any Government, but since independence, this duty had remained neglected.
Heritage sites are the pride of every nation. They are the soul of the nation and the strength for the coming generations. They boost the economy as a travel destination as well.
Not many nations are blessed with such copious numbers of heritage sites. To energise the future, it's important for Bharat to reinvigorate the past.
Unfortunately, the previous Governments did not show any inclination towards restructuring and revamping such lavish assets.
Many of the heritage site remained overcrowded, lacking in basic services and infrastructure such as Water supply, sanitation, roads, street lights, signages etc. The tourists ‘adorning’ the walls and premises of heritage sites with their names, spitting paan or treating the area as dustbin has been horrifying as well as heartbreaking vision.
The essential element in any nation’s growth story is its comprehensive development. Any development, if promoted by sole consideration of its economic progress, overlooking its historical and cultural components that nurtures the value system and builds the character of people, remains lopsided. Governments have to protect and preserve the monuments of national pride. Hon. Prime Minister’s journey as a ground-karyakarta has ingrained this understanding in him.
Hence, with the beginning of Narendra Modiji led Government at the Center, HRIDAY Scheme (National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojna) was launched on the 21st January 2015 with the aim to bring together the urban planning, economic growth and heritage conservation in an inclusive manner to preserve the heritage character of each Heritage city.
It emphasise on the accessibility, security, safety, livelihood, cleanliness and faster service delivery in the heritage cities.
It also encourages the development of an aesthetically appealing, accessible, informative and secured environment in heritage cities.
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs focuses on Infrastructure development of the heritage cities identified by the Ministry of Culture.
Development of infrastructure like approach roads, drainage, footpaths, electrical wiring, landscaping, sanitation, street lights, water supply, waste management and allied citizen services such as tourist convenience, security, Information kiosks. etc. are some of the major focus areas of the scheme.
Tourism is one of the major elements that boosts the economy. Culturally rich Nation like Bharat has an added advantage of prospering by promoting the Tourism. To encourage Tourism, preservation of updated amenities is essential.
Another important aspect of HRIDAY Scheme is to preserve and renovate heritage so that tourists can connect with each heritage city‘s unique nature.
It also aims at developing Heritage assets inventory of cities documenting its built and cultural living.
Adaptive maintenance of urban heritage, including rehabilitation using appropriate technology for retrofitting historic buildings with modern conveniences, making cities informative using modern ICT tools and making cities secure using modern security devices like CCTV etc. is a notable goal of this Yojna.
Easy and comfortable accessibility to heritage sites is extremely important. Developing roads, developing the universal design, GIS mapping of historical locations and building a digital record of heritage is a significant task undertaken under this scheme.
Promotion of economic activities to enhance avenues of employment among people living in and around the heritage sites, is also an important goal of this Yojna.
Hon. Prime Minister, in his journey from ground level Karyakarta to the foremost leader, has perceived goodness in commonman’s soul. Manifesting this virtue, Narendrabhai Modiji has inspired citizens to involve themselves in Nation Building. Public-Private partnership (PPP model) is the result of such inspiration. Employing PPP model for HRIDAY Scheme is one of the goals envisioned by the Government.
Below are the cities that are listed under the HRIDAY Scheme. Each city is granted a specific fund based on its population and size.
1. Ajmer, Rajasthan (40.04 Cr)
2. Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh (22.26 Cr)
3. Amritsar, Punjab (69.31 Cr)
4. Badami, Karnataka (22.26 Cr)
5. Dwarka, Gujarat (22.26 Cr)
6. Gaya, Bihar (40.04 Cr)
7. Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu (23.04 Cr)
8. Mathura,Uttar Pradesh (40.04 Cr)
9. Puri, Odisha (22.54 Cr)
10. Varanasi,Uttar Pradesh (89.31 Cr)
11. Velankanni,Tamilnadu (22.26 Cr)
12. Warangal,Telangana (40.54 Cr)
In the first phase, total of 500 Crore has been allocated to implement this scheme.
It is the Central Government initiated programme and its funding is entirely provided by the Central Government.
Various unique implementations promoted under this scheme, furthers it’s attraction for tourists.
In Dwarka, Gujarat, the Union ministry of Urban Development has approved development of 6 km long Bet Dwarka Darshan Circuit under HRIDAY Scheme, that connects the famous Dwarkadheesh Haveli and Hanuman Dandi (only temple housing Hanumanji and his son Makardhwaj) in Dwarka at a cost of 16.27 Crores. There are two important water bodies along the circuit, viz, Shankhoddhar Lake and Ranchod Talav. Under this project, development work is undertaken along this circuit.
The city of Devbhoomi Dwarka finds its mention in Mahabharat and Skand Puran. Recent findings indicate that Thirty Copper coins, a foundation of boulders, old structures including a circular one and pottery samples dating back around 1500 BC were excavated. The recent underwater study on the coastal water of Dwarka conducted by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) reveals the existence of a city dated to the 2nd millennium BC. The search of the lost city revealed a well fortified township that was built in Six sectors along the banks of the river. The foundation of boulders, on which the city’s walls were erected proves that the land was reclaimed from the sea, as described in the ancient texts and it corresponds with that of the submerged city discovered by the Marine Archeology Unit (MAU).
In similar manner, historic cities of Ajmer and Pushkar have got new lease of life under HRIDAY. The historic city of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (Ajmer) and the pilgrimage town of Pushkar have got their ‘soul’ stimulus under the HRIDAY Scheme.
New Delhi based company, DRONAH was finalised as city anchor for Ajmer and Pushkar revamping plan. capturing the city’s heritage infrastructure improvement plans, concept plan for development, renovation of a city museum, central park and monitoring the execution of work from a heritage perspective had been done under the guidance of the City-anchor under the HRIDAY Scheme.
The plan prioritised beautification of Anasagar and Foisagar lakes. All the overhead electric wires were made underground and LED lights were fixed in Pushkar and Ajmer. Landscaping of Subhash Garden and Daulat Baig at Anasagar, Sinages at both the places in two languages, good mini buses for local transport etc. are some of the salient features of Ajmer-Pushkar’s refurbishment programme. Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University (CEPT), Ahmedabad, is enrolled in the urban design action plan of these twin cities.
United Nation’s Education, Social and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) had applauded the HRIDAY Scheme, initiated by Modi Government and has shown keenness in collaboration with the Ministry of Urban Development.
Bharat, our great nation is bestowed with ancient cultural heritage. This legacy is the root of our value based social fabric. Showcasing Bharat’s rich inheritance to the world and uplifting it’s prestige globally, is a result of Modiji led Government’s dedicated efforts.
Under his ingenious leadership, Bharat is definitely on the path of becoming Vishvguru.