Aurangabad: The Maharashtra tourism department and the Centre have started working on the Ajanta Ellora virtual reality project that will give tourists a virtual experience of the UNESCO world heritage sites.Aurangabad has two world heritage sites. In order to promote these sites of global significance, kiosks are set to come up in Delhi, to market these destinations.MTDC joint managing director Aashutosh Rathod said, The Ajanta Ellora Virtual Reality project is an initiative which is in collaboration with Central government and MTDC. “This project aims to create an interactive and virtual environment for the tourists and make bring them live caves,” he said.The project is aimed at providing a unique virtual experience for the audience as well as the prospect tourists. With the use of latest technology, the audience would be educated about the architecture, design, painting, history and narrative aspects of the caves that found them a mention in the list of international heritage site.MTDC authorities informed that the project report prepared by IIT Bombay, will take a total of 18 months to complete the work. The project is estimated to be completed for Rs 10 crores. The central government will bear 80 per cent of the total cost. The task will be carried out in phased manner.As a part of phase-I, the tourism department will hire and train manpower for the development of the prototype for the virtual museum on Ajanta. The implementation of the prototype based on the design which involves creation of the content, programming and fabrication.In the first phase, the installation will come up in Delhi comprising two kiosks, an interactive painting, 3D Ajanta, holographic projection and an animation film. MTDC aims at completing the first phase by March-end.In phase-II, four kiosks that are identical in content for use in different locations, 12 interactive paintings having two identical sets of six paintings, 60 installations of 3D projection comprising two identical installations of 30 sets, two holographic projections, two animation films and two sets of 360 degree immersive exhibition will be set up.Aashutosh Rathore said that the decision to launch the programme was taken after two separate surveys were conducted among the visitors.The visual content design will be developed based on the history of the UNESCO world heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora caves. “I am certain that the initiative will interest the travellers and it will be a great podium to learn about the rich heritage,” said Rathod.

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