Road works at the expense of Hampi monuments

Two back-to-back incidents of damage have left the heritage activists fuming

The Vijayanagara monuments are crumbling, courtesy of official apathy and unplanned civic works. A week after a portion of a fort near Kamal Mahal came crumbling due to unabated construction activities, extraction of mud for road works has damaged yet another fort of medieval times near Shiva Temple in Talavara Ghatta on Saturday.

The region, which lies under the Hampi core zone, saw use of heavy machines and earthmovers to extract mud bringing down a portion of the fort. The mud extraction also poses a threat to the Shiva temple which is just 25 metres away.

Two back-to-back incidents have left the heritage activists fuming.

Vishwanath Malagi, president, Vijayanagara Smaraka Samskruti Samrakshana Sene, told DH, “In a similar activity a fort near Kamal Mahal got damaged. It seems, the authorities have learned no lessons... Indiscriminate mud extraction at the site close to Shiva Temple, laced with huge stone boulders, has damaged the fort. The temple is also facing threat from the precariously placed stones. This apart, the region is home for sloth bears and leopards. Unabated construction activity will have an adverse impact on the animals endemic to the region.”

The Archaeological Survey of India should take immediate steps to stop construction activity and use of heavy machines in the core zone, Malagi of the citizen forum fighting for restoration of Vijayanagara monuments urged.

When contacted, P Kalimuthu, Deputy Superintendent, ASI (Hampi Circle) said, “No damage was done to the fort. Mud is being extracted and transported for road works. The activity will not hurt any monument.”