AURANGABAD, May 19: The smiling Buddha has been sitting in one of the Ajanta caves since centuries, at once benign and melancholic at the world around him. And surely, he might have taken the debate over whether Japan will rescind its aid for the ambitious Rs 262-crore Ajanta Ellora Development Project, quiet philosophically.The project, being funded by the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) of Japan, seeks to protect the ancient Buddhist caves and the historic structures and sculptures they house. However, Japan's menacing stance provoked by India's five nuclear tests last week and its threat to slap tough economic sanctions on the country has placed a question mark on the project.Though officials here say they have received no word on stoppage of funds they were unable to say whether they money will continue to come.Work on the first phase, estimated to cost Rs 87 crore, was recently completed while the blueprint for the second phase is in the process of being finalised, Assistant Directorof Tourism, Capt S J Surve, told The Indian Express.The second phase, which is expected to cost more than Rs 175 crore, is yet to be approved by the OECF as the blueprint has is still to be cleared by the government.While the Japanese interest in sponsoring the plan lies in its deep-rooted Buddhist tradition, India is keenly motivated by the monument's tourist potential and the foreign exchange revenue with which it could attract tourists.Phase-I included widening and strengthening of over 167 km of roads between Aurangabad and Ajanta-Ellora (Rs 47 crore), afforestation of over 737 hectares of land (Rs 3 crore) lengthening of the airstrip at Chilkathana airport by 1,500 feet and installing a 10-km water pipeline from Tondakar dam to Fardapur.Phase-II includes major attractions like tourist complexes worth over Rs 38 crore, a golf course, creating a replica of the two monuments, providing pollution-free transport in the vicinity of the caves, a museum, a visitor management centre, as well asa further extension of the airstrips at Chikalthana and Jalgaon airports.The world famous Ajanta and Ellora caves, which are included in the world heritage monuments list of the United Nations Education, Social and Cultural Organisation, have almost escaped the attention of foreign tourists despite the admiration the structures receive the world over.``The project hopes to exploit this business potential, provided of course, the Buddha continues to smile,'' says Captain Surve.
