Karnataka - Others   

Removal of silt from historical pond in Chitradurga suspended

Staff Correspondent

Differences between the district administration and local MP cited as reason

MAJESTIC SIGHT: A view of the Gopalswamy Honda in Chitradurga.

CHITRADURGA: The project of cleaning the historical Gopalswamy Honda, which was launched on Sunday, appears to have fallen into controversy owing to differences between the district administration and local MP N.Y. Hanumantappa.

The district administration on Sunday started removing silt from the 800-year-old pond located inside the Chitradurga fortress. But work was suspended the next day following allegations that the district administration did not obtain permission from the Archaeological Survey of

India (ASI) before undertaking the project.

It is learnt that Mr. Hanumantappa had instructed officials of ASI to suspend the project, as the pond came under the purview of protected monuments. He had also written a letter to the Deputy Commissioner K. Amaranarayana asking him to take permission before going ahead with the project.

Mr. Hanumantappa told The Hindu that he had advised the Deputy Commissioner to get the requisite permission.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner K. Amaranarayana said that a letter was written to ASI Chitradurga about the project, and an oral permission was also obtained. However, the matter had been blown out of proportion, he said. Recalling the instance of two such cleaning programmes, Mr. Amaranarayana said that when district administration started removing silt from the Nellikai Siddappana Betta pond and Basavanadone pond, the ASI did not object.

The district administration had tested the water and found that it was contaminated. If any epidemic broke out owing to contaminated water, the district administration would be held responsible, he said. .

A senior historian on condition of anonymity said that the suspension of the project was unfortunate. The cleaning of the pond would have helped provide clean water and also unearthed priceless antiques, hidden inside.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Execute financial assistance scheme, say film-makers
Removal of silt from historical pond in Chitradurga suspended
Financial support will help create assets: Pramila Nesargi
Training ends
Education can remove inequalities: judge

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu