Poor upkeep puts historic monuments in shambles

ANANTAPUR: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Andhra Pradesh circle, has allegedly failed to improve facilities at the museums, historic monuments and sites under its control. Even as the new circle office of ASI established in AP following state bifurcation, no proper documentations were submitted to meet requirements to get Unesco tag for monuments in AP while Telangana succeeded with documentation of Ramappa temple to appease the Unesco. 

Though the Centre sanctioned exclusive schemes for the protection of monuments and providing facilities in 2014, AP failed to get even a minimum number of monuments listed in the programmes while other states have been availing the schemes.

Though 135 monuments and sites were identified by the ASI, the centre included four sites for the schemes in the state a few days ago. Three museums - Amaravati, Chandragiri and Nagarjuna Konda – are maintained by ASI in the state.

Historian Jasti Veeranjineyulu lamented that NagarjunaKonda, the world’s second biggest Buddist museum, was poorly maintained for the past one year due to restrictions on boating.

Staff can reach the museum of NagarjunaKonda site only through boating while AP Tourism and private boats stopped operations following a major mishap near Papikondalu two years ago. The ASI reportedly failed to obtain clearances for travelling to reach the historic site, museum and garden. Now, the forest department restricted boating for not having route permissions, Veeranjineyulu said, adding that the ASI should make efforts to obtain clearances to protect monuments.

Further, maintenance of ASI garden sites is being done by Mysore-based ASI wing and many structures are having poor maintenance in the state. “Even for a small issue over garden maintenance, we need to contact ASI officials in Mysore,” L. Ramprasad of Lepakshi said.