K'taka: Rs 20 crore to develop Hampi site

Bellary, Nov 13: Tourism minister B Sriramulu has said the ministry will release Rs 20 crore for infrastructure development at the heritage site of Hampi.

He was speaking in Hospet after unveiling a statue of Valmiki on Saturday evening. The tourism ministry has already taken steps like launching tongas for visitors to go around Hampi.

Soon, batteryrun vehicles will be introduced to minimise pollution. Funds for other development works will be released after chalking out a plan, he added.

On speculations that he would change his constituency to Hospet as it has been reserved for ST category after the reorganisation of constituences, he brushed aside the rumours saying that his roots were i Bellary and there was no question of changing his constituency.

Earlier, after unveiling the Valmiki statue at Chitrakeri in Hospet, organised by Chitrakeri Yuvakara Balaga, he called upon the Nayak community to shed their political differences and work for upliftment of the community.

Seniors leaders must work towards binding the community under one ideology to pave the way for its progress. The youth also have an important role in this but they lack direction, he noted.

A huge cultural procession was organised to mark the occasion. The statue of Valmiki was taken in a procession from Chitrakeri through the main streets of the town accompanied by artistes performing dollu kunitha, nandikolu and bullock pairs.

OneIndia News