Aurangabad, Jan 11: Aurangabad Tourism Development Foundation (ATDF) on Monday requested State Minister of Tourism & Environment Aditya Thackeray, to keep the world famous Ellora and Ajanta Caves opened for tourists in the midst of the pandemic, it was reported Today.

Mr Sunit Kothari Chairman Public Relations & Civil Aviation Committee of (ATDF) made this request to the minister after the District Collector of Aurangabad decided to close both Ellora and Ajanta Caves from Today onwards in the backdrop of raising Covid cases in the district.

It was stated in the letter that the caves are spread over 2.5 kms and therefore there is no problem in ensuring proper social distancing among the visiting public.

They are better ventilated naturally than the shopping malls and cinema theatres and hence should be allowed to operate with 50 percent capacity.

Arguing that even gymnasium’s which were ordered to close in Monday’s government circular are now allowed to function with 50 percent capacity in a revised circular issued on Tuesday by the government, hence these caves should be allowed to remain open.

“We request the Government to please keep the monuments open with full Covid protocols. They can restrict the number of visitors but please do not close the caves completely as it will lead to humongous economic loss to all those who are dependent for their livelihood on tourism in and around Aurangabad” the letter said.

Tourism has been the most battered sector in this pandemic and frequent closures of these monuments will create a huge negative impact both economically and psychologically on all stakeholders in the tourism industry in and around Aurangabad.

We hope your wise counsel will intervene in the above issue and get the monuments of Ellora and Ajanta Caves reopened with full Covid protocols, he added.(UNI)