HYDERABAD: The historic Golconda Fort and Charminar are all set to open for torurists from Monday as per the Centre’s guidelines for Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) protected monuments. As these historic structures open up, officials are putting in place strict protocols to ensure safety of people as Covid-19 continues to be on the rise.
There would be a cap of 2,000 people entering the monuments per day. “These monuments see an average of 3,000 to 4,000 people a day, with weekends seeing much larger crowds. But the entry of people will be restricted in the light of Covid-19,” an official, requesting anonymity, told STOI. Tickets would be sold online to reduce contact with staff. For booking tickets, tourists could log into ASI website (www.asi.nic.in).
Incidentally, officials are being extra cautious as Bonalu is also celebrated at Jagadamba Temple at the Golconda Fort.
“On Thursday and Sunday, we will be ensuring that those coming to the monument for religious purposes wear masks and follow protocol,” an ASI official said.
Besides, the two city monuments, the Warangal Fort is also set to open. Last month, the Thousand Pillar temple and Ramappa temple were opened up after the Centre’s nod for places of worship to be opened to the public.
As per the standard operating protocol, visitors have to follow social distancing and use face cover/masks, which is mandatory. Entrances would have hand hygiene and thermal scanning provisions. Only asymptomatic persons would be allowed entry.
At parking and cafeteria, only digital payment would be allowed. There should be designated routes for entry and exit and movement within the monument. The route should be one way only with single line maintaining norms of social distancing. The ASI could restrict access to vulnerable and interior part of any monument.
Visitors would be asked to stick to time limits inside the monument, as far as possible and no group photography inside. Guides and photographers who have valid licence would be allowed to work while no food will be allowed inside the premises.
There would be a cap of 2,000 people entering the monuments per day. “These monuments see an average of 3,000 to 4,000 people a day, with weekends seeing much larger crowds. But the entry of people will be restricted in the light of Covid-19,” an official, requesting anonymity, told STOI. Tickets would be sold online to reduce contact with staff. For booking tickets, tourists could log into ASI website (www.asi.nic.in).
Incidentally, officials are being extra cautious as Bonalu is also celebrated at Jagadamba Temple at the Golconda Fort.
“On Thursday and Sunday, we will be ensuring that those coming to the monument for religious purposes wear masks and follow protocol,” an ASI official said.
Besides, the two city monuments, the Warangal Fort is also set to open. Last month, the Thousand Pillar temple and Ramappa temple were opened up after the Centre’s nod for places of worship to be opened to the public.
As per the standard operating protocol, visitors have to follow social distancing and use face cover/masks, which is mandatory. Entrances would have hand hygiene and thermal scanning provisions. Only asymptomatic persons would be allowed entry.
At parking and cafeteria, only digital payment would be allowed. There should be designated routes for entry and exit and movement within the monument. The route should be one way only with single line maintaining norms of social distancing. The ASI could restrict access to vulnerable and interior part of any monument.
Visitors would be asked to stick to time limits inside the monument, as far as possible and no group photography inside. Guides and photographers who have valid licence would be allowed to work while no food will be allowed inside the premises.
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