HC notice to Centre, Tamil Nadu on preserving glory of Mamallapuram

A Mras High Court bench has issued tices to Central and Tamil Nu governments over tourist town of Mamallapuram becoming a "dirty place" again, a month after it was cleaned and spruced for summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Treating te of Justice N Kirubakaran as a PIL, second bench of High Court, heed by Justice Vineet Kothari, on its own issued tices to both governments, returnable by December 11. Justice Kirubakaran, who wrote a detailed te to second bench about preservation of ancient monuments in Mamallapuram, referred to recent summit attended by Modi and Xi, saying entire town h been me sparking clean and decked up for meet.

Public thronged Mamallapuram, littered it

But after summit concluded, it was seen from newspaper reports that people thronged town and littered entire area, which has t been cleaned up, "bringing back very old position, making it a dirty place." CCTV cameras which were removed from public places after high-profile meeting concluded must be re-installed and ditional new cameras should be put up to ensure safety and security of public and foreign tourists. Foreigners are afraid to visit many parts of India, where often incidents of rape and molestation of women and children were reported, judge said.

Judge for CCTV cameras at site

As far as tourism is concerned, safety of tourists, especially, women and children is paramount, he said, ding that presence of CCTV cameras will act as a deterrent for criminals.  judge suggested impleing tourism ministry, Archaeological Survey of India, Epigraphic Society of India, municipalities and water supply departments, DGP, collector and superintendent of police, Kanchipuram district, as respondents in matter. He also suggested that 'lighting shows' be arranged for UNESCO-declared monuments like Shore Temple, Five Rathas, Arjun Penance and Krishna's Butter Ball on a daily basis or during weekends.

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Make littering an offence

construction should be allowed to be me, which would hinder view of monuments. Littering of town should be me an offence and fine of at least Rs 1,000 should be imposed on defaulters, he said. Encroachments, which h been removed on account of summit should t be allowed to crop up again and political parties or outfits or associations should t erect boards or flag posts to avoid shabby outlook of town, judge said. re should be a separate wing or police station with policemen fluent in English to deal with complaints from foreigners, while proper sanitation, healthy food, potable water and safe lodging must be provided, judge said.

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'Periodic inspections at site'

"Tourist guides should be authorised/approved by ASI and tourism department and ir numbers should be increased as it is stated that Tamil Nu tops table in Tourism with 28 per cent of tourists visiting state," he said. Periodical inspections by quality inspectors will go a long way in ensuring hygiene at restaurants and transport facilities for tourists should be me affordable while ensuring all safety measures are in place. Among or suggestions, judge said that touts and transporters fleecing tourists be dealt with firmly while a multi-lingual toll-free number should me available for m.

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Declare Mamallapuram herit town

Mamallapuram should be declared a herit town as several ancient monuments are located re, judge said, ding that excavations being me at various sites should be continued and stone inscriptions and palm manuscripts should be preserved, digitalised and published by Epigraphic Society of India. Reports about excavated sites should be regularly published by ASI and governments should establish carbon-dating laboratory at Chennai, as many archaeological sites are located in sourn part of country, judge said.

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