Andhra Pradesh fails to uplift Penukonda

Anantapur: Not even a single promise and big number of sops announced during 500th coronary celebrations attained shape at summer capital of Vijayanagar Empire Penukonda.

Though Iskcon had expressed willingness to develop the hill area and the golden temple of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy with an estimated Rs 300 crore, the file was pending with the state government to spend 10 per cent of its share.

People of Penukonda were angry with the government for making false promises, but Centre was concentrating on reshaping Hampi similar to Krishnadevaraya regime. The state government had conducted 500th coronary celebrations of Sri Krishnadevaraya four years ago.

Then Congress government led by revenue minister N. Raghuveera Reddy celebrated it in a grand manner. Then union ministers, Ms Selja, Mr Pallam Raju and chief minister K. Rosaiah, governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and many others participated in the event.

Various ministers announced to develop summer capital Penukonda as a good tourist place. Though, a BT road was sanctioned at a cost of Rs 7.50 cr from ground level to hill top of Penukonda, it was confined to metal road that too badly damaged during rains. Ghanagiri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy temple trust chairman J. Prathap Reddy alleged there was no regard even for Governor's plea to build a guesthouse on the hill.

“The state government had announced summer guesthouse for Governor at a cost of Rs 1.50 crore that would help development of tourism four years ago. But, the proposal was neglected.”

An 11 kv line along with drinking water pipeline project was also designed at a cost of Rs 1.43 crore and not even a single rupee was sanctioned so far. A group of activists during a meeting made it clear that the government was again trying to cheat people of Penukonda by organising 505th coronary celebrations in September.

Though, a national museum with Rs 10 crore was announced during celebrations, the proposal was ignored by both state and central governments. Mr Prathap Reddy recalled the file was pending with the government to handover the 5.32 acre on top of the hill. “We met the CM many times seeking clearance of the file, but to no avail,” he added.