The Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority has initiated steps to streamline the facilities for the benefit of tourists thronging Hampi, the erstwhile seat of the Vijayanagara empire.
The authority has planned to introduce ten battery-operated buggies to ferry tourists from Gejjala Mantap to Vijaya Vittala temple, which houses the stone chariot and musical pillars. Tenders have been floated for maintenance of the buggies.
“We have already placed orders for ten buggies which are expected to arrive during the last week of this month or the first week of October. Apart from that, the authority has decided to enter into an annual maintenance contract with qualified agencies to maintain and service the buggies,” Pavan Kumar Malpati, Assistant Commissioner, Hosapete, and Commissioner of Authority, told The Hindu .
To prevent damage to the ancient monuments, the authority had banned movement of vehicular traffic between Gejjala Mantap and Vijaya Vittala temple and introduced 25 battery-operated buggies to ferry the tourists. Due to improper maintenance, most of the buggies would be stranded and only a couple were operated. As a result, the tourists had to wait for long to get their turn or walk over a kilometre in the scorching hot sun. The waiting hours would be longer during weekends and on national holidays.
Mr. Malpati said that the authority also planned to purchase around 50 bicycles for tourists who are keen to go round the world heritage site. A sum of Rs. 5 lakh has been set aside to take up sapling plantation in the world heritage site, in consultation with the Forest Department and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), he said.
The post of archaeologist, which had been vacant for long, would be filled soon, he promised. Interviews were held and issuing of the appointment order was pending.
Sub-office at Anegundi
Mr. Malpati said that the authority had decided to establish its sub-office at Anegundi, considered the ‘cradle of Vijayanagar empire’ and part of the World Heritage Site located on the other side of the Tungabhadra. “The authority will appoint a superintendent to look after the monuments and other works on the Anegundi side. With the proposed office, people need not come all the way to Hosapete to apply for licences and permissions,” he said.
