BELAGAVI: The state government will submit a proposal to the Centre to develop the famous Badami and Pattadkal temple complexes in Bagalkot district, and has sought Rs 52.50 crore for the same. An official from Bagalkot will present the proposal at a meeting to be held in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Badami is among the 11 historic places in the country included in the Centre’s Heritage Development and Management Plan. According to sources, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 500 crore to improve basic infrastructure in these 12 places, and had written to the state government to submit a proposal for work to be taken up at Badami and Pattadkal.
Bagalkot deputy commissioner P A Meghannavar told Express that the district administration has already prepared the proposal and will discuss it with Central officials on Wednesday.
The proposal includes development of a heritage theme park (parampara grama), handicrafts and handloom centre, gardens and seating arrangements, laser show, entrance welcome arch resembling caves, protection and restoration of key unlisted heritage structures, improvement of tourist access to heritage structures, Yatri Nivas and public toilets and supplying drinking water. Facilities for heritage walks, trekking paths and adventure sports will be included. The Agasthya Lake will be improved and water sports activities will be introduced. The deputy commissioner, who was supposed to attend the meeting, said he has deputed a top official instead since Governor Vajubhai Vala will visit the district on Thursday.
He denied reports that the Centre was planning to drop Badami from the heritage development and management project and said the district administration has submitted all necessary documents to the Centre to get funds under this project. He said the administration is keen to attract more tourists to Badami and Pattadkal.