The historic Khammam fort, a living testimony to the majestic grandeur and architectural marvel of the bygone era, is poised to get a facelift with the government departments drawing up grand plans to beautify and develop the majestic edifice.
Illumination of the fort, including installation of solar streetlights atop the fort, introduction of the sound and light show at the historical edifice and development of a park at the entrance of the fort, are some of the initiatives in the pipeline.
The fort is believed to have been built by the Kakatiya rulers in 950 AD. It served as an impregnable citadel during various regimes of different dynasties, including Kakatiyas, Qutub Shahis and Asaf Jahis. The fort, situated in a vast area in the heart of the town, was notified as a protected monument by the Archaeology Department several decades ago.
Despite decades of neglect, the historical edifice, which once flourished with regal opulence, retained its alluring charm due to its architectural splendour.
The fort, once mighty bastion of royal dynasties, continues to face further encroachment threat due to lack of proper monitoring mechanism.
With the Telangana government laying renewed focus on the historical edifices of architectural significance, the government departments turned their attention on beautifying the Khammam fort and safeguarding the protected monument from future encroachments.
A proposal to develop a park and set up a canteen besides illuminating the fort at an estimated cost of Rs. 5 crore has already been submitted to the government, says Suman Chakravarthi, District Tourism Officer, Khammam.
The plan also envisages provision of amenities and introduction of sound and light show at the fort on the lines of the Golconda Fort in Hyderabad, he elaborates.
A plan is on the anvil to install solar streetlights at the fort, says G. S. V. Prasad, District Manager, New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation.
Minister for Roads & Buildings Tummala Nageswara Rao has mooted the proposal to set up solar streetlights at the fort well before the next Independence Day celebrations.
“We will soon conduct a survey at the fort to identify suitable site on the premises of the fort for installation of solar lights,” he adds.