Hampi may remain as a World Heritage Site

By Our Staff Correspondent

BELLARY, MAY 20. The State Government seems to have preferred to retain Hampi as a World Heritage Site rather than developing it as a tourist centre. The decision to relocate the foot-bridge near Virupaksha Temple and the two-way bridge linking Hampi and Anegundi coming up across the Tungabhadra to retain the skyline and the environs of the site untouched points to such a mood in the Government.

However, the Cabinet decision is silent on whether the work on the two-way bridge had to be stopped or it should be demolished. Official sources said that in the absence of definite instructions, the work on the bridge was continuing.

If the Government orders the demolition of the bridge, the nearly Rs. 4 crores spent on it will go waste. Moreover, funds will be required for its demolition, and re-construction in another location.

The United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) has taken serious exception over the construction of the bridges, and has included Hampi in the list of "World Heritage Sites in danger". It has also threatened to delist Hampi from the list of World Heritage Sites.

The UNESCO and the archaeologists fear that the bridges will affect the cultural heritage of the site and its skyline, and the vibration caused by heavy vehicular movement will affect its monuments.

Initially, the State Government did not seem to have taken the threat seriously. The construction of the two-way bridge near Talwarghatta continued in spite of the objections raised by the UNESCO representatives. The Government constituted a task force headed by Ms. Achala Moulik, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government, to look into the matter and suggest remedies to ensure that Hampi will continue to be a World Heritage Site.

The task force, which visited Hampi in March, did not give directions to stop the construction of the bridge. Ms. Moulik said that such a decision could be taken only by the Government.

After the visit of the task force, it was believed that the foot- bridge would be demolished, while the work on the other bridge would continue with modifications in the plan. A letter written by the Secretary, Department of Kannada and Culture, has endorsed this belief. He wanted them to prepare a plan for deviation of traffic, and had informed that the State Government had allocated an additional Rs. 10 lakhs for the purpose.

However, the Government's decision to relocate the bridge has come as a surprise. Experts say that explosives will have to be used for demolition of the cable-way bridge, and this will affect the monuments.

The representatives of UNESCO are likely to visit Hampi this week. It is not clear when the bridges will be demolished and their re-construction at another location taken up.

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Section  : Southern States
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