The Hindu : Karnataka News : Status report on Hampi soon

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 19, 2011
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka

Status report on Hampi soon

Staff Correspondent

Keen look:Senior Deputy Superintending Archaeologist T.M. Keshava (centre) and ASI World Heritage Site Manager M.V. Vishweshwara (left) inspecting the monuments in Hampi on Saturday.

HAMPI: The task force, comprising senior officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), that is assessing the condition of the ancient monuments that are protected and conserved by it at the Hampi World Heritage Site, will be submitting its report in a week.

“The purpose of our visit is primarily to inspect the condition of the ancient monuments with regard to the extent of damage caused to it due to natural calamities. The task force will inspect each monument and study whether there has been further deterioration in its condition from the earlier study. We will submit a detailed report on the reasons for any damage and the remedial measures, both short and long-term, to be adopted to protect the monuments,” T.M. Keshava, senior Deputy Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Bangalore Circle, who heads the task force, told The Hindu.

Mr. Keshava, who has been involved in excavation and conservation of the monuments at Hampi for the past three decades, was of the view that several monuments, including the Shiva temple, were affected due to sub-soil erosion following floods in the Tungabhadra and also due to incessant rain.

Cracks noticed

M.V. Vishweshwara, who is the World Heritage Site Manager of the ASI and part of the task force, said that during the current inspection, the task force made a note of the cracks that had developed on the towers of Achutaraya and Virupaksha temples.

“Tell-tale glasses will be installed to study whether the cracks, already noticed, are widening. We will then suggest remedial measures like grouting to cover the cracks and prevent its widening,” he said.

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

Karnataka