Heritage development projects in Andhra, Telangana approved

Union Urban Development Ministry today 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 Heritage Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) National Empowered Committee approved development of a heritage park in Amaravati besides developmental works at 1000 Pillar Temple and Kazipet Durgah and rejuvenation of pond at Padmakshi Temple in Warangal city.
In Amaravati, heritage park will be developed over an area of 3.50 acres opposite Dhyan Buddha Statue at a total cost of Rs 7.36 crore. This park will have an Exhibition Complex with 4 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 lakhs, parking area at a cost of Rs 60 lakhs, pathways at a cost of Rs 44 lakhs and landscaping will be done.

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, according to a release.
For Warangal, an expenditure of Rs 4.85 crore has been approved for undertaking development works at 1000 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.
At the 1000 Pillar Temple, illumination works will be taken up at a cost of Rs 28 lakhs, development of parking area at a cost of Rs 27 lakhs, e-toilets at a cost of Rs 16 lakhs. Other facilities to be provided are-seating spaces, information signages, solar lightings, dustbins.

Keeping in view the tradition of cooking food at the Kazipet dargah, a dormitory will be developed at a cost of Rs 60 lakhs and a kitchen at a cost of Rs 22 lakhs. Other facilities to be provided are - toilets, parking, pavements and illumination.
For rejuvenation of pond at Padmakshi Temple, civil works including approach road will be taken up at a cost of Rs 1 crore, toilets, illumination, landscaping, paving and parking facilities. Facilities like seating spaces, information signages and dustbins will also be provided.
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. More projects will be approved for Amaravati and Warangal in the near future.