Govt chalks out plan to develop Srirangapatna

Mysore, May 16 (UNI) Karnataka Minister for Kannada and Culture H S Mahadeva Prasad today said one of the historic spots of the country, Srirangapatna would be developed on the lines of Aihole at an estimated cost of Rs 1.25 crore.

Speaking to newspersons after a review meeting of the department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage here, he said the state government had declared Mysore, Srirangpatna, Bijapur, Bidar, Gulbarga and Kittur as Heritage Centres.

He said the documentation and mapping of these heritage areas were completed and development works would be taken up soon. The important heritage buildings and monuments would be taken up for preservation, conservation and restoration, he added.

Mr Prasad said even the Jyothi Hosa Agrahara, a UNESCO Consultant agency, had prepared a master plan for the 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 the Department of Archaeology had undertaken nearly 800 preservation works and maintenance of 15 Museums in the State.

More than 200 structures in Mysore would be taken up for preservation under the Central Government's JNNURM project, he added.

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

Even free movements for the tourist buses would be recommended to the governments in the meeting, he added.

UNI