K'taka Govt may sanction additional funds for Hampi Utsav

Bellary, Oct 4 (UNI) The Karnataka Government is considering to sanction Rs 40 lakhs for this year's three-day Hampi Utsav, beginning on November three, besides the Government's share of Rs one crore, Tourism Minister B Sriramulu has said.

Talking to reporters here on Monday, he said the fest would be celebrated on the lines of Mysore Utsav. Talks were on with several television channels for the live telecast of the Utsav. The Ministry was mulling running special buses during the Utsav from Bangalore, Mysore and Hubli-Dharwad to facilitate travel of tourists.

Announcing that Anegondi Utsav would be organised simultaneously with Hampi Utsav this year, the Minister said the main focus of the tourism department would be on providing basic facilities to tourists, including makeshift toilets, and maintaining dormitories for outstation tourists.

Mr Sriramulu said the State Finance Ministry had cleared the hanging bridge in Anegundi, construction of which was suspended after completing 80 per cent of the work due to a controversy raised by the UNESCO authorites. The Government had sanctioned Rs 2.5 crore for the completion of the balance work, but the authorities were demanding additional funds.

There was a need to change the technical design of springs in the pillars, he added.

UNI XR GD MIR HT1922