Heritage development projects for AP, Telangana okayed

The union government on Friday approved projects worth over Rs.12 crore for improving tourist infrastructure in heritage places of Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh and Warangal in Telangana.

An inter-ministerial national empowered committee of union urban development ministry approved development of a heritage park in Amaravati besides developmental works at 1,000-pillar temple and Kazipet Durgah and rejuvenation of pond at Padmakshi temple in Warangal city, an official statement said.

The heritage park at Amaravati will be developed over an area of 3.50 acre, opposite Dhyan Buddha statue, at a total cost of Rs.7.36 crore.

The park will have an exhibition complex with four halls to be developed at a cost of Rs.92 lakh, 22 statues at a cost of Rs.2 crore, over 20 shops at a cost of over Rs.1 crore, 4 food courts at a cost of Rs.95 lakh, parking area at a cost of Rs.60 lakh, pathways at a cost of Rs.44 lakh and landscaping will be done at a cost of Rs.76 lakh.

Other facilities to be provided include seating benches, pargolas etc.

Exhibition Halls and shops will be used to promote to local art and handicrafts and other products.

For Warangal, an expenditure of Rs.4.85 crore has been approved for undertaking development works at 1,000-pillar temple at a cost of Rs.94 lakh, at Kazipet Durgah at a cost of Rs.1.78 crore and rejuvenation of pond at Padmakshi Temple with an investment of Rs.2.13 crore.

Amaravati and Warangal are among the 12 cities included in the Heritage Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) for improving the social, cultural and economic ecosystems by augmenting necessary infrastructure with the objective of conserving the rich cultural heritage and enabling better facilities for tourists and pilgrims.