2 weeks ago
Historic forts in erstwhile Karimnagar district left to decay
Long ago, kings built big stone forts on hills to protect the people they ruled.
Some of these very old forts are in a place called Karimnagar.
Now, nobody is taking care of them, and they are falling apart.
The walls are broken and weeds are growing all around.
One fort, called Elgandal Hill Fort, is very old and famous.
The government once spent a lot of money to put lights and sound there for visitors, but that show no longer works.
Visitors must pay ₹20 to enter, but there is no drinking water or toilets.
Another fort, Molangur Fort, was built long ago so that kings could rest while travelling.
A third fort, called Ramagiri Khilla, is so old that historians say it was built around 4000 BC.
The government recently gave money to fix up Ramagiri Khilla, but people want all the forts repaired and made safer for visitors.
Historic forts in the erstwhile Karimnagar district, including Elgandal Hill Fort, are in a dilapidated condition due to neglect by successive state governments.
Elgandal Hill Fort, built by Kakatiya rulers, has damaged stone walls, weeds around structures, and a mosque with two damaged minars, while its Rs 4.25 crore sound and light system from 2017 has been a no-show for years.
The Tourism department collects ₹20 from every visitor to Elgandal Hill Fort, but basic facilities such as drinking water and toilets are missing.
Molangur Fort, built in the 13th century as a Kakatiya transit halt between Warangal and Elgandal, is also neglected, and locals say their representations for basic facilities have received no response.
Ramagiri Khilla, reportedly established in 4000 BC, received ₹5 crore sanctioned by the state government, and minister D. Sridhar Babu sought central cooperation to develop it as a tourism hub.
- Who
- Historic forts of the erstwhile Karimnagar district (Elgandal Hill Fort, Molangur Fort, and Ramagiri Khilla), local sarpanches Nimmala Anaiah and Poodari Raju, visitors such as S. Praveen Kumar, and minister D. Sridhar Babu.
- What
- Several historic forts are being left to decay due to lack of maintenance, with damaged walls, overgrown weeds, and no basic visitor facilities, even as some funds have been approved for developing Ramagiri Khilla.
- Where
- The erstwhile Karimnagar district, specifically Karimnagar and Peddapalli districts of Telangana, India.
- When
- The neglect is ongoing; Elgandal's sound and light system installed in 2017 has been non-functional for the past few years, and ₹5 crore was sanctioned for Ramagiri Khilla a few months ago.
- Why
- Successive state governments have neglected the historic sites, leaving them without maintenance, repairs, or basic facilities for tourists.
Key facts
- Entry fee at Elgandal Hill Fort
- ₹20 per visitor
- Sound and light system at Elgandal
- Cost Rs 4.25 crore, developed in 2017, defunct for several years
- Elgandal Hill Fort builders
- Kakatiya rulers
- Molangur Fort distance from Karimnagar
- 31 km
- Molangur Fort builder
- Voragiri Moggaraju, 13th century
- Ramagiri Khilla location
- 6 km from Begampet, Peddapalli district
- Ramagiri Khilla age
- Established in 4000 BC, according to historians
- Funds sanctioned for Ramagiri Khilla
- ₹5 crore by the state government
Quotes
S. Praveen Kumar
Visitor from Karimnagar
“everything in and around the Elgandal Hill Fort would be damaged completely within a decade if precautions are not taken immediately.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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