The proposal to rehabilitate residents of the historical village of Aihole to conserve the 6th century monuments has resurfaced, with the district administration preparing a Rs. 309-crore plan.
The BJP government had given the Cabinet approval for the relocation plan back in 2012, but the project never took off.
The village residents are hopeful that the project would get going at least this time because they are unable to do any alterations in the existing houses since the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has declared the village a “protected site”.
Aihole, in Hungund taluk, has a cluster of over 100 monuments declared protected by ASI and has been deemed one of the great architectural marvels of the country that have withstood the ravages of time. They present some fine examples of architecture of the Chalukyan dynasty.
The BJP government had given the green signal for the project and identified 252 acres land for rehabilitation and set aside Rs. 50.41 crore. A population of about 5,000 was to be relocated to a new area. However, the proposal had later been withdrawn, leaving the residents in a limbo. The project hit a roadblock with farmers, who were losing lands, going to court demanding higher compensation.
“Forget renovation, we are not allowed even to whitewash our home and make a shed for cattle. These are the houses where we are dwelling for generations,” said Shivaraj Adavi, a resident of Aihole.
Speaking to The Hindu , Ramanna Kuri, who is spearheading the agitation demanding the early shifting of the village, hoped that with the new proposal and the assurance of the government, the process would commence soon. About the farmers demanding higher compensation, he said that it was their right as they were losing the land.
“We want an amicable solution. Farmers should get a better deal, at the same time, residents should get new houses. The ancient monuments should also get protected as it is our proud heritage,” he said.
Sources said that of the Rs. 309 crore, the district administration has proposed Rs. 103 crore for acquiring around 1,055 houses in the town, Rs. 104 crore for providing basic facilities to the residents at new sites while the remaining funds would be used for construction of houses.
They cannot even whitewash their homes because ASI has declared the village
a protected site
