Aurangabad: A local advocacy group has submitted a memorandum to the Aurangabad Divisional Commissioner demanding basic facilities, infrastructure and cleanliness at key heritage sites located in and around Aurangabad.Blaming the local civic body and the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) for allegedly neglecting the legacy of heritage, advocacy group ‘Minority Front’ has said that official apathy was taking a heavy toll on tourism.“Day by day, the tourism in the city is declining and the poor hygiene and bad road condition around the monuments is very embarrassing. The MTDC has failed to market Aurangabad despite having two World Heritage sites in its vicinity,” said Minority Front leader, Feroz Khan .Stating that the local civic body has not maintained basic civic facilities and infrastructure in the city, he said that many heritage sites have become eyesores. “Some of the heritage sites are surrounded by garbage, scrapped vehicles and encroachments. To add to this, bushes and creepers among other vegetation can be seen growing on these structures and thus lowering their strength,” Khan said.Wanting corrective measures to be put in place at the earliest, Minority Front has demanded proper signage and information boards be put up around the local heritage. “If it continues to be neglected, the local heritage will be destroyed. It is our humble request to the authorities to take immediate steps to save the heritage of the city,” the advocacy group has demanded, while suggesting public participation for the cause of heritage conservation.Aurangabad has historically been referred as the ‘city of 52 gates’ with each of them having their own history and historical figures linked with it.However, many of these structures are on the verge of extinction and some have already been wiped out from the geography of the city.The advocacy group has also criticised the functioning of different official panels, which have been formed for the cause of heritage conservation. “As per our knowledge, two separate panels exist for the cause of heritage, one at the local level and another at the divisional level. Both these panels continue to lead an on-paper existence. Nobody listens to the members of these panels or their recommendations,” Khan said.Notably, Khas Gate along with the fortification wall of Himayat Bagh, a section of Neher-e-Ambari, a portion of Neher-e-Panchakki, Damdi Mahal, Fazil Pura Bridge, Dargah Bridge and Mehmood Gate are some of the structures that have sustained considerable damage during the recent past due to alleged official apathy and carelessness from the elected representatives.

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