As a first step in developing the historical Badami town, the Union government has granted Rs. 22.26 crore under its flagship programme, HRIDAY (Heritage City Development Scheme).
The Union government has selected 12 heritage cities in the country to develop them by providing better amenities and preserving the heritage structures. Badami, once ruled by the Chalukyan dynasty, is one of the cities selected for the project.
The release of funds was announced by district in-charge Minister S.R. Patil at a recent meeting for discussing a development plan of the town under the scheme.
The city would be developed and facilities would be created with the help of INTACH (Indian National Trust of Art and Cultural Heritage) which would share its expertise in executing the project.
“Following the inclusion of Badami under the project, the district administration was asked to prepare a project report and the required funds for it. The district administration had submitted a proposal of Rs. 37 crore, however the Union government has agreed to grant Rs. 22.26 crore,” said Mr. Patil.
INTACH has already prepared modalities for developing cities including Amritsar in Punjab, Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Puri in Odisha and has started the work considering Puri as a model for the project.
P.C. Gaddigoudar, the MP who has been working with the Union government to get the project approved, has asserted that he would strive to get more funds, if required for the project.
