Ballari: After halting work on a tarred road in the ancient Kamalapura tank bund area-which falls within the core zone of the Hampi World Heritage Site- for about eight months, the PWD on Wednesday resumed road work.
Earlier, the work was halted following a series of articles published in Deccan Chronicle highlighting the possibility of Hampi losing the UNESCO world heritage site status.
The fact that the work has resumed, indicates that neither PWD nor the Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority (HWHAMA) are bothered about protecting the 15th century tank and have silently yielded to the pressure from powerful politicians.
When this correspondent visited the tank bund area on Thursday, work on laying state highway No.49 at the tank bund area was in full swing.
Road rollers, heavy earth moving machines, and several workers were utilized for the construction work with gravel being laid to strengthen the base.
It was found that the PWD contractor had deployed some persons to keep a vigil on the media and had even arranged a photographer to take snaps of mediapersons and visitors at the construction site.
In March last, the PWD had taken up work to lay a two-km stretch of road adjacent to the tank bund where two sluices are located.
The 15th century tank irrigates around 1,500 acres of land through the year. Work was stopped after objections from ASI on the ground that the laying of the road would distort the original character of the tank.
It is a mystery who gave the green signal to the PWD to resume work, but sources said the authorities had yielded to a lobby of politicians and hoteliers.
N.C. Prakash Nayakanda, Deputy Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Hampi Mini Circle, said as soon as he learnt about the work, he spoke to Hosapete Assistant Commissioner and Commissioner of HWHAMA Mr Avinash Menon and pleaded with him to stop work immediately.
“Now, it is upto the state government to retain Hampi in the UNESCO world heritage site,” he said.
