Ballari: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has stumbled upon an ancient terracotta pipeline adjacent to the 'Octagon' pavilion near the Queen's bath in the world heritage site at Hampi.
A thorough search of the area helped them unearth the pipelines in a few places in the vicinity too.
The ASI officials believe that these multiple-row pipelines, buried under the existing road between the Bhojana Shala on the opposite side and the octagonal pavilion, continues toward the royal enclosure. During the inspection of the ongoing work on the protection wall for the ancient Octagon pavilion, Ms K. Moortheeswari, Superintending Archaeologist, Hampi Mini Circle, and other officials noticed the terracotta pipeline. Ms. Moorteeshwari said the Octagonal pavilion monument will be included in the vision plan under preparation so that an in-depth study of the area can be undertaken in a phased manner so as to find the exact path of the pipelines and throw more light on the hydraulic engineering techniques of the Vijayanagar rulers five hundred years ago.
Ms Moortheeshwari also underlined the need for making a deviation in the existing road by a couple of metres so as to prevent threats to the ancient structures from the movement of vehicular traffic very close to the Octagonal pavilion. She is in touch with the Deputy Commissioner Ramprasath Manohar, who is also the Chairman of Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority to take up the issue with the PWD, and get the road diverted.
"Following the new findings, I will again talk and write to the Deputy Commissioner and seek their immediate action to divert the road in view of the need to safeguard the precious Vijayanagar Octagonal Water Pavillion and its water channels with ancient pipelines", she said.
