The Hindu : Centre according top priority to Hampi: Jagmohan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 10, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Centre according top priority to Hampi: Jagmohan

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore April 9. The Union Tourism Ministry plans to ban movement of vehicles close to the archaeological treasures at Hampi and provide electric trolleys to the tourists as part of a project to preserve and protect the majestic ruins. It has also left the question of retaining or demolishing the controversial and half-complete Talwarghatta Bridge across the Tungabhadra to the State Government.

This was stated here today by the Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Jagmohan, after a discussion with the Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, on preserving the heritage site and developing the infrastructure needed for promotion of tourism.

The UNESCO has objected to the construction of the road bridge and a footbridge across the river close to the Veerupaksha Temple, and threatened to remove Hampi from the list of world heritage sites.

Mr. Jagmohan visited Hampi on Tuesday accompanied by the State Tourism Minister, Roshan Baig, the Secretary to the Union Ministry of Tourism, Rathi Vinay Jha, and the State Commissioner for Tourism, I.M. Vittalamurthy.

Speaking to presspersons, he noted that special thrust had been given to the development of Hampi in this year's Budget. Hampi was one of the special tourist circuits identified for development. The others included the Buddhist sites in Bihar. However, top priority was being accorded to Hampi. Apart from the problem of encroachment of the historical sites, the Hampi monuments faced danger from vibrations due to the movement of vehicles.

Mr. Jagmohan said that besides relocating the people residing close to the monuments, it had been decided to develop a central area where tourists could congregate before spanning out to the monuments. The special centre for tourists would have facilities such as toilets, rest-houses, shopping arcades, and parking lots. From there, they would move out in the trolleys, which would be light and vibration-free. Bicycles would also be provided to those who wanted them. The metalled roads within the Hampi heritage complex would be dismantled and "soft tracks" would be provided for the trolleys. The Centre preferred that the tourists went around the monuments on foot.

Mr. Jagmohan said that high-mast lighting would be provided and the existing streetlights and telephone wires would be removed. There would be extensive landscaping around the monuments. The agricultural land within the Hampi complex would be acquired as they too were damaging the monuments. Parks would be developed on the land. Dedicated officers of the Archaeological Survey of India had been posted to Hampi, and told to improve the upkeep of the monuments and also undertake fresh excavations.

Questioned about the road bridge (on which the State Government has already spent Rs. 4.5 crore), he noted that the matter was before the Karnataka High Court. The State Government was seized of the matter, and he hoped that it would take a decision keeping in mind the stipulations of the UNESCO. Mr. Jagmohan, who visited Chitradurga also, announced that the historical fort in the city would be restored and provided with special lighting. The archaeological site of Brahmagiri too would be developed. The discovery of a Buddhist stupa in Gulbarga District was of great significance. His ministry had sanctioned Rs. 40 crore for the development of 84 Jain monuments in the country and most of them were in the State. Mr. Krishna said that the encroachments in the Hampi complex would be removed and steps taken to improve infrastructure at the site.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Exports growth set at 25 p.c. annually

International honour for Mysore photographer

RPI to field Mogha for V-P's post

BSNL to focus on wireless phone service

Centre according top priority to Hampi: Jagmohan

Students `gherao' Mysore varsity VC

Acute drinking water shortage in Raichur

Remodelling of water-supply system to be completed next year