Face lift for Srirangapatna

Mysore, May 16 (UNI) Karnataka Minister for Kannada and culture H S Mahadeva Prasad today said that one of the historic spot of the country Srirangapatna would be developed on the lines of Aihole at the cost of Rs 1.25 crores.

Speaking to newsmen after a review meeting of the department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage here, he said that the state government has declared Mysore, Srirangpatna, Bijapur, Bidar, Gulbarga and Kittur as Heritage Centers. The documentation and maping of these heritage areas have been completed and development works would be taken up soon. The important heritage buildings, monuments would be taken up for preservation, conservation and restoration.

He said even the Joythi Hosa Agrahara an UNISECO consultant agency has prepared a master plan for development of Srirangapatna and a meeting of stockholders in the town would be convened during the next month to discuss various aspects including safeguarding the people of the town.

He said that the Department of Archaeology has undertaken nearly 800 preservation works and maintenance of 15 Museums in the State.

He said that more then 200 structures in Mysore would be taken up for preservation under the Central Government's JNNURM Project.

Referring to the entry tax imposed by the state government for tourist buses coming from outside, Kannada and Culture Department and Tourism Secretary I M Vittal Murthy clarified that for this purpose and South India Tourism Department meeting would be held on May 18 at Hyderabad to discuss the various things including entry tax. Even free movements for the tourist buses would be recommended to the governments in the meeting, he added.

UNI