16 Heritage Sites To Get Facelift, Ticketing Planned
The government has also earmarked ₹5 lakh for creative material: Reports
HYDERABAD: Sixteen protected heritage sites are set to receive a facelift, with the state government sanctioning ₹8.65 crore to improve visitor facilities and tourism infrastructure. Plans are also afoot to introduce an entry ticketing system at select sites.
Funds will be used to provide basic amenities, upgrade tourist infrastructure and promote heritage tourism. The sites include Someswara temples at Kolanupaka, Taramati Baradari, Monsieur Raymond’s Obelisk, Khazana Building at Golconda, Keesaragutta, Medak Fort, Khammam Fort, Buddhist Stupa at Phanigiri, Ganapeshwara temples at Ghanpur, Jagtial Fort and Mosque, Buddhist complex at Nelakondapally, Rachakonda Fort, Devarakonda Fort, Chaya Someswaraswamy Temple at Panagal, Paigah Tombs and Somasila temples.
Prof. K. Arjun Rao, director, heritage department, said the 16 sites had been chosen as a pilot project, with more to follow. Officials added that ticketing would be introduced wherever feasible, with proposed rates of ₹20 for adults and ₹10 for children.
The government has also earmarked ₹5 lakh for creative material, information boards and guide training, and ₹15 lakh for promotional campaigns. Tourist guides, CCTV cameras and security guards will be deployed at the sites.
Heritage consultant Madhu Vottery said the initiative would create jobs and enhance the value of local monuments. She noted that the Kolanupaka temple, regarded as the “Kedarnath of Telangana”, would attract more visitors with improved facilities.