Chaitya Bhoomi now A' class tourist spot

Mumbai: After Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur, Chaitya Bhoomi, the memorial of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, has been granted “A” class pilgrimage and tourist destination status. The move will lead to overall development of the place of historic importance.

Explaining why Chaitya Bhoomi was granted “A” class status, Satish Soni, joint managing director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), said that it was a place visited by more than 10 lakh tourists from across the globe every year besides having a national and international identity.

"Earlier, the state has approved ‘A’ class tourism place to Deekshabhoomi, Nagpur, on March 8, 2015, as every year, more than 11 lakh tourists from world over visit this holy place,” said Mr Soni.

“More than 10 lakh followers visit this place where Dr Ambedkar took his last breath. The state and union government has approved construction of an international memorial of Dr Ambedkar near Chaitya Bhoomi. Once construction of the memorial is complete, the number of visitors will increase and hence, MTDC has recommended that the state give ‘A’ status to this place and the state has consented on Friday,” he said.

Asked about benefits “A” grade tourist places were entitled to, Mr Soni said that they received huge aid from the state and internationally.

Meanwhile, BMC has begun demolition of construction in Indu Mill Compound where the proposed memorial will be constructed. It will take three months for the structure to be demolished completely, said a BMC official.