Karnataka - Hassan   

Opposition to cable-car plan mounts

Staff Correspondent

Writers, historians have expressed unhappiness over the ASI decision

U.R. Ananthamurthy

HASSAN: Writers, historians, structural engineers and a few former archaeologists have expressed unhappiness over the temporary permission accorded by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for installation of cable-car at Vindhyagiri Hills in Shravanabelagola.

The Karnataka Ithihasa Academy has opposed the decision on the grounds that the idea goes against heritage conservation.

Sanctity, serenity

According to Suryanath U. Kamath, the people have opposed the idea as it would harm the sanctity and serenity of the area. Jnanpith Award winner U.R. Ananthamurthy is also against the proposal, as it will affect the beauty of the hill, besides hurting the religious sentiments. According to M.S. Nagaraja Rao, noted archaeologist, it is not a technically feasible project and the installation of cable car will mar the beauty of the hill.

Sharing the concern of ASI over the safety of Vindhyagiri Hills, N.S. Rangaraj, a member of heritage committee, said it was not fair on the part of the ASI to accord permission to set up a cable-car and the State Government to pressurise ASI in this regard.

Dr. Rangaraj, who has done a programme for Electronic Multi-Media Research Centre (EMMRC) on Shravanabelagola for the University Grants Commission, said: "as a member of heritage committee, I strongly oppose the proposal."

Expressing dissatisfaction over the use of heavy iron for scaffoldings, he said that though the material would not affect the monument in any manner, as the weight was equally distributed, it would have been better if some light material, such as aluminium pipes, had been used. Instead of installing a cable-car, it was better to increase number of "dolis" to take dignitaries, the aged and the physically challenged to the top of the hill, he observed.

`Against values'

Raveendra of the Mysore-based firm Ravi Gundu Rao and Associates, who specialises in heritage conservation, said he shared the ASI concern.

Setting up a cable-car is against the values propounded by Jainism.

The State Government and mutt should not touch the rock, whose sanctity had been preserved for centuries, he said.

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