Starting later this month, a private conglomerate will take over the management of the operations at the iconic Red Fort in New Delhi. The monument was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century.
The world heritage site is also where the Indian Prime Minister has historically addressed the country from, every Independence Day.
Not just the Red Fort, the Indian government has put 93 other tourist attractions up for adoption under the 'Adopt a Heritage' scheme.
It says the idea is simply to improve the experience of tourists by developing world class facilities at these monuments.
India's main Opposition party- the Congress's Tom Vadakkan is accusing the government of selling the country's heritage.
<<Tom Vadakkan, Congress Leader>>
You can't have a cement company looking after the Red Fort. You have another company selling oil and they want to look after the Taj Mahal. It will give them a brand image. It can be used for private purposes. It will become a mercenary outfit.
VO:
The iconic monument is badly in need of housekeeping.
Dalmia Bharat will be in charge of keeping it clean, and maintaining the toilets, lights and the cafeteria and providing wifi for tourists along with multi-lingual audio guides.
But historians like Rana Safvi say the government programme has no mention of conservation.
<<Rana Safvi, Historian>>
What will I do with a gold plated toilet if the the Red Fort itself is falling down?
In the Diwan-i-Khas, the ceiling made of teak wood is sagging. The plaster is pealing off. It's in very bad shape- why isn't anything being done about that?
VO:
The Taj Mahal- one of the seven wonders of the world - is also on the list of heritage sites up for adoption.
But this proposal has Indians divided.
<<Vox 1>>
This is not a good thing. The government should ensure there is accountability.
<<Vox 2>>
The government is not able to take care of the monument. The building is dilapidated, it's good that they have made a company in charge who will be able to look after the monument well.
VO:
The new custodians of the Red Fort have a monumental task at hand- of ensuring that the sun doesn't set on India's heritage.
Neha Poonia, New Delhi.
The world heritage site is also where the Indian Prime Minister has historically addressed the country from, every Independence Day.
As Neha Poonia reports, this decision has sparked off a controversy in India.
In: 'The year..'
In: 'The year..'
Out: SOC
Dur: 2:55
Script:
This year when Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation on Independence Day from the Red Fort, something would have dramatically changed.
For the first time in the monument's 400-year-old history, a corporate entity will take over its daily maintenance.
The Dalmia Bharat group- a conglomerate that manufactures cement and sugar - has signed a five year contract with the Indian government for its upkeep.
It's also agreed to spend 3.7 million US dollars to upgrade visitor facilities at the fort, a Unesco world heritage site.
In return, Dalmia Bharat will be allowed to advertise exclusively on the monument's premises, giving its brand, exposure to the more than 2.5 million tourists who visit it each year.
This year when Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation on Independence Day from the Red Fort, something would have dramatically changed.
For the first time in the monument's 400-year-old history, a corporate entity will take over its daily maintenance.
The Dalmia Bharat group- a conglomerate that manufactures cement and sugar - has signed a five year contract with the Indian government for its upkeep.
It's also agreed to spend 3.7 million US dollars to upgrade visitor facilities at the fort, a Unesco world heritage site.
In return, Dalmia Bharat will be allowed to advertise exclusively on the monument's premises, giving its brand, exposure to the more than 2.5 million tourists who visit it each year.
Not just the Red Fort, the Indian government has put 93 other tourist attractions up for adoption under the 'Adopt a Heritage' scheme.
It says the idea is simply to improve the experience of tourists by developing world class facilities at these monuments.
India's main Opposition party- the Congress's Tom Vadakkan is accusing the government of selling the country's heritage.
<<Tom Vadakkan, Congress Leader>>
You can't have a cement company looking after the Red Fort. You have another company selling oil and they want to look after the Taj Mahal. It will give them a brand image. It can be used for private purposes. It will become a mercenary outfit.
VO:
The iconic monument is badly in need of housekeeping.
Dalmia Bharat will be in charge of keeping it clean, and maintaining the toilets, lights and the cafeteria and providing wifi for tourists along with multi-lingual audio guides.
But historians like Rana Safvi say the government programme has no mention of conservation.
<<Rana Safvi, Historian>>
What will I do with a gold plated toilet if the the Red Fort itself is falling down?
In the Diwan-i-Khas, the ceiling made of teak wood is sagging. The plaster is pealing off. It's in very bad shape- why isn't anything being done about that?
VO:
The Taj Mahal- one of the seven wonders of the world - is also on the list of heritage sites up for adoption.
But this proposal has Indians divided.
<<Vox 1>>
This is not a good thing. The government should ensure there is accountability.
<<Vox 2>>
The government is not able to take care of the monument. The building is dilapidated, it's good that they have made a company in charge who will be able to look after the monument well.
VO:
The new custodians of the Red Fort have a monumental task at hand- of ensuring that the sun doesn't set on India's heritage.
Neha Poonia, New Delhi.