PTI Feb 27, 2009, 03.07am IST
NEW DELHI: Observing that the Commonwealth Games 2010 will be a "great opportunity" for Delhi to showcase its heritage to tourists, a Parliamentary panel has asked the government to promote lesser-known monuments in the city such as the Kashmiri Gate.
The Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, which looked into development of tourism infrastructure and amenities for the Games, noted that Delhi is home to 1200 heritage buildings, of which 173 are listed as ASI-protected.
It noted that the ministry of culture and the ASI has already identified the monuments important from point of view of tourism which will be given a facelift.
"The Committee also recommends the Government to promote lesser-known monuments like Kashmiri Gate, Sheesh Mahal, Baradari and other tourist sites for the tourists with improved connectivity," the report said.
Kashmiri Gate, which used to be one of the entry points to old city of Delhi, was built in 1835 and was so named as royal emperors used to pass through the gate on their trips to Kashmir and other places in the north.
During the first war of Indian Independence in 1857, it used to be a key point for the mutineers to assemble and the existing walls still bear marks of cannon ball damage.
Baradari, a protected monument dating back to the Tughlaq period, is situated in Shahpur Jat village in south Delhi. It is a building with 12 doors designed so as to allow free flow of air.
