India, Oct. 17 -- The state government is set to chalk out and implement a comprehensive plan for the conservation of 500 temples, 60 state-protected forts and 1,800 stepwells situated across Maharashtra. This will be done with the help of the Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) and the state archaeology department. The decision was taken by state cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar on Thursday.

Shelar has directed the cultural affairs department to prepare a plan that will focus on preservation, restoration and increasing tourism footfall at these heritage sites. The archaeology department will act as the nodal agency for the project. This is in addition to the Rs.5,000-crore project undertaken by the state government...