Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s announcement of a budgetary allocation for steps to be taken to improve amenities for visitors at monuments would help two monuments in the State under the Archaeological Survey of India’s custody provide a tourist friendly experience.
“Tourist amenities at 100 Adarsh monuments of the Archaeological Survey of India will be upgraded to enhance visitor experience,” Mr. Jaitley said in Parliament on Thursday. Though not a part of the first list of 25, Telangana’s Adarsh Monuments — the Ramappa Temple in Warangal and Golconda Fort in Hyderabad — were listed in the second phase of identifying potential Adarsh Monuments.
Speaking to The Hindu , ASI’s Hyderabad Circle Superintending Archaeologist Milind Kumar said: “It was today (Thursday) that proposals for providing better amenities have been approved. Since the Golconda Fort is large, estimates for around ₹ 50 lakh were prepared. For the Ramappa Temple, estimates are for around ₹ 40 lakh.”
The proposals include provisions for updated signage, Wi-Fi, interpretation centres and better security, dustbins, seating for visitors and drinking water, among others. “The first priority is signage. It is essential that information about the monument be displayed. Since the size of the Golconda Fort is massive — 54 acres — it is not possible to finish the work within a short span. This is why in the first three months, signage, dustbins and visitor benches will be taken up,” Mr. Kumar said. Construction of pathways is on the anvil. However, these will be a part of a six month project. The ASI has in its custody 41 acres of Golconda Fort’s Bala Hisar, eight acres of Katora Houz, 49 towers and eight gateways. It also controls the over 100 acres of the Naya Qila.
