A fresh impetus was given to the comprehensive development of the historic 14th century Kondaveedu fort as leading industrialists and professionals came together to form Kondaveedu Heritage Society here on Sunday.
Noted industrialist Bommidala Krishna Murthy was nominated president and K. Siva Reddy, convener of the Kondaveedu Fort Development Committee, was nominated general secretary of the trust.
The other members were C. Anjaneeya Reddy, former managing director, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (chairman, constitutional committee), D.M. Dikshit, assistant professor of Sanskrit Department, Hindu College (secretary), Modugula Ravi Krishna (treasurer) and T.S. Raman, director of Competitive Success College (recorder).
Tourist potential
Mr. Anjaneeya Reddy, who conceptualised the formation of the trust, exuded confidence that the trust would play a great role in restoring the legacy of the fort. Mr. Reddy, during his tenure as CMD of the APTDC, foresaw the immense tourist potential of the fort and prepared a project to set up a sound and light show. He later persuaded the then collector G. Jayalakshmi to sanction an approach road from the eastern side of the fort.
At a press conference held on Sunday, Mr. Krishna Murthy said that he trust was aimed at preserving the rich heritage of the fort for posterity. Explaining the aims of the trust, he said that one of the primary tasks of the trust was to identify 84 garrisons attached to the fort spread across Udayagiri in Nellore district and extending to Kondapalli in Krishna district and Rajahmundry.
The trust would coordinate with Tourism and Archaeology Departments to stop encroachment and protect the historic monuments from vandalism. The trust would take up excavation of tanks, wells and gardens in various garrisons.
A vast amount of valuable literature throwing light on the political, social and economic facets of the era of Kondaveedu kings would be unearthed and the manuscripts would be digitised, he said.
Mr. Siva Reddy said that donors willing to contribute for the trust activities would have to pay Rs.50,000, patrons Rs.25,000, life member Rs.10,000, general member Rs.5,000 and sympathiser Rs.1,000.
