New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday praised the public-private partnership model that has restored the Humayun's tomb here to its earlier glory.
"I think we have found a good model in the public-private partnership that has restored this great monument to its earlier glory," Manmohan Singh said while inaugurating the refurbished tomb.
"The obvious lesson from this example is the efficacy of integrating conservation efforts with public policies and schemes for urban renewal," he said.
The 16th century tomb complex, which is a World Heritage Site, has been restored after six years of work.
It was built close to the Yamuna river in 1565, nine years after the death of Mughal emperor Humayun.
The tomb's restoration project is the largest and most ambitious heritage conservation project undertaken in India and the only one by a non-government body, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.
The Archaeological Survey of India, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, World Monuments Fund, Ford Foundation and other organisations are partners in the project.
The prime minister said: "The Humayun's tomb project, I believe, has provided 200,000 man-days of employment for master craftsmen."
"I would like to congratulate the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, the ASI and the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust on the success of this endeavour," he added.
