Date:02/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/02/stories/2007010201530300.htm

Karnataka - Bellary

Steps taken against illegal structures in Hampi

M. Ahiraj

66 cases of violations recorded; land survey carried out

IN SAFE HANDS: A file photo of the Tungabhadra on the other side of which lies Virupapurgadda island near Hampi.

BELLARY: Arvind Srivastav, Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority, has said that effective steps have been taken to control illegal constructions in the core zone of Hampi.

Speaking to The Hindu here on Monday, Mr. Srivastav said that photographic documentation of Hampi village was done in September last to enable the authority to identify any new alterations from that day.

As many as 66 cases had been recorded so far against property owners for violations of building rules and regulation, he said.

In Virupapurgadda (island) adjacent to the Virupaksha Temple falling within the limits of Koppal district, he said that land had been surveyed by the Revenue Department and "grounded" for the first time in an accurate manner. In addition, the extent of encroachment in the forestlands had also been identified.

The action of the authority was to comply with the concern expressed by UNESCO over substantial increase in illegal constructions in the core zone, he said.

Partial demolition of illegal commercial establishments in Hampi was also taken up as part of the enforcement and it had been decided to replace the existing security staff with Home Guards for which a plan had been prepared, he said and added that the plan would be sent to the Government for its approval besides proposing to hand over the responsibility of the security of Hampi Bazaar to the respective agencies — Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the State Archaeology Department.

With regard to the request made by the UNESCO to finalise and officially adopt and implement the Integrated Management Plan (IMP), he said the authority had received the plan at the end of November and the document was discussed among the agencies concerned. The feedback was forwarded to the Archaeological Survey of India and Integrated Management Plan team. In addition, the concepts proposed in the plan were incorporated in the master plan, which, according to him, is the only tool for implementing the development regulations. The finalisation of the Integrated Management Plan was also being carried out under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi.

About the observations made with regard to shifting the commercial complex/ interpretation centre to an alternative site, he said that the construction work had been stopped and land had been identified near Kamalapur. As a temporary measure, it had been proposed to make use of the existing gravelled place for heavy vehicles until a comprehensive plan for movement of visitors, supported by transportation plan, was got ready.

He said that details of requirement of technical staff and subsequent funding had been forwarded to the Government and that the survey of villages was completed. An archaeologist had been appointed and steps were being taken to appoint an architect and an engineer.

He said the draft master plan had been completed in addition to the draft urban building regulations and identifying the heritage zones. At present, steps were being taken to transfer all the proposals on the accurate base maps.

Regarding regulation of traffic from the world heritage area, he said that movement of heavy vehicles had been banned.

He also said that all efforts were on to submit a report on the steps taken thus far for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 31st session to be held this year.