London, Nov 12: In an effort to attract more domestic and global tourists, India plans to develop places associated with Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda and philosopher-Saint Sankaracharya, tourism minister Jagmohan has said. "We are developing Gandhi Yatra, Vivekananda Yatra and Sankaracharya Yatra," he told reporters here yesterday.

Jagmohan, who spoke about government's new tourism agenda at the World Travel Mart 2002, said as part of Gandhi Yatra, Porbandar, where Gandhi was born, Agha Khan Palace in Pune, where he was imprisoned and Raj Ghat, his memorial, were being developed. In addition, places like Sabarmati Ashram, Wardha Ashram, August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai and Mandir Marg in Delhi were being improved. "Our idea is to offer a complete package to tourists," he said.

Similarly, places like Kanyakumari, Kalindi, Belur Mutt, Dakshineswar and Goa associated with Vivekananda and Sankaracharya are also being improved, he said. Besides, the government has identified for development a 'World Heritage Tourism Corridor' connecting 10 world heritage sites out of the 16 declared by UNESCO in India from Delhi to Mumbai.

This covers heritage sites in Delhi, Agra, Khajuraho, Sanchi, Ajanta-Ellora in Aurangabad and elephant caves in Mumbai and would enable tourists to see the ten world heritage sites in one tour, the minister said.

Bureau Report