The JICA team will visit the sites between Nov 27 and Dec 24, 2016. 

Following the visit, studies will continue for almost one year, up to Oct 2017.

Various agencies have been assigned to complete the allocated components which include Central Government agencies such as ASI, AAI along with MTDC and other State Government Institutions. 

Satish Soni, Joint Managing Director of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation stated, “The Ajanta and Ellora Caves are UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in the Aurangabad district in the state of Maharashtra, approximately 400 km northeast of Mumbai.  The Ajanta-Ellora Conservation and Tourism Development Project was initiated in 1992 and Phase I was initiated in March 1993." 

"Phase I was successfully completed in 2004 and phase II was completed in-between year 2004 to 2017. Now external evaluation of phase II will take place in the year 2016 – 2017. Our aim is to conserve the cultural heritage and its surrounding environment, and to promote comprehensive tourism development including infrastructure, thereby contributing to regional development therefore MTDC and its respective officer will assist the JICA team in this phase II project,” he added.