New Delhi, October 26: Controversy has refused to die down for Taj Mahal as it has found no takers in the government’s ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme. In the first list announced by the Union Tourism Ministry, 14 heritage sites were ‘adopted’ by private groups under its ‘Adopt a Heritage’ programme on Wednesday. Also Read - Taj Mahal And Agra Fort Reopen Today: Here Are The COVID-19 Guidelines to Follow

The heritage monuments and sites included Delhi’s Qutub Minar, Jantar Mantar, Purana Qila, Safdarjung’s Tomb and Agrasen ki Baoli; Odisha’s Sun Temple, Ratnagiri monuments and the Rajarani temple; the ruins of Hampi; Leh Palace; Anjanta and Ellora caves; Mattancherry Place in Kochi; Gangotri Temple premises and the Gomukh trail and Stok Kangri in Ladakh. Also Read - 2,500 Visitors in One Shift, Online Booking | Taj Mahal Set to Reopen From Monday After 6 Months

Seven private players were shortlisted and were issued letters of intent by the Tourism Ministry under the scheme. Also Read - Unlock 4.0: Taj Mahal And Agra Fort Open Its Gates For Tourists From September 21 - Read SOPs

S. No Private Player Monument/Site 1 SBI Foundation Jantar Mantar, Delhi 2 TK International Limited Sun Temple, Konark Raja Rani Temple, Bhubaneshwar Ratnagiri Monuments, Jajpur, Odisha 3 Yatra Online Pvt Limited Hampi, Karnataka Leh Palace, Jammu & Kashmir Qutub Minar, Delhi Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra 4 Travel Corporation of India Ltd Mattancherry Palace Museum, Kochi Safdarjung Tomb, Delhi 5 Adventure Tour Operator Association of India Gangotri Temple Area and Trail to Gaumukh Mt. StokKangri, Laddakh, Jammu and Kashmir 6 Special Holidays Travel Pvt Ltd (With) Rotary Club of Delhi Agrasen ki Baoli, Delhi 7 NBCC Purana Quila, Delhi

President Ram Nath Kovind launched the ‘Adopt a Heritage Scheme’ on World Tourism Day, ie September 27. The Tourism Ministry then invited Private Sector Companies, Public Sector Companies and Corporate individuals to adopt the sites and to take up the responsibility for making our heritage and tourism more sustainable through conservation and development.