Rs 500-cr plan to develop Hampi

40-day programme to mark 500th coronation anniversary of Srikrishnadevaraya

Speaking after inaugurating the 500th anniversary of coronation of Srikrishnadevaraya in Hampi on Sunday, Tourism Minister Janardhana Reddy said that buildings reflecting the glorious past of Vijayanagara kingdom would be constructed in 235 acres in the town.

Apart from this, a park of international standards, on the lines of Lalbagh in Bangalore would be constructed in an extent of 80 acres near Kannada University.

As many as 80 battery-operated vehicles would be provided at a cost of Rs 81 crore. Sound and light arrangements will be made in the ruins, the minister detailed.

Reddy, meanwhile urged the government to name the Hampi Kannada University after Srikrishnadevaraya, the emperor of Vijayanagara kingdom.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sriramulu said that the administration of Srikrishnadevaraya is worth emulating even in the present day. The revenue and irrigation system of that era were greatest of their kind, he noted.

Renowned artistes

Artistes of national and international repute will perform in the 40-day programme being held in Hampi.

President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani will take part in the programme between Jan 27 to Jan 29, 2009.

Renowned actor and danseuse Hema Malini, playback singer Lata Mangeshkar, artistes from China and France will perform on the occasion.

Higher Education Minister Aravind Limbavali, Lok Sabha members J Shantha, Phakkeerappa, legislators G Somashekhara Reddy, T H Suresh Babu, Anand Singh and others were present.