Warangal gets heritage tag

12 heritage cities selected across India under ‘Hriday’ scheme

Hyderabad: The Central government has included Warangal in Telangana and Amaravati in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh under a scheme for development of heritage cities, Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said here on Sunday.

They are among the 12 cities across the country included in the Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY). The Union minister said the Centre would launch a scheme to develop the 12 cities across the country which has heritage importance. He said the scheme to be launched in January would cost Rs 500 crore.

Warangal, located about 150 km from Hyderabad, is a historic city. It was the capital of the Kakatiya dynasty from 12th century to 14th century.

Amaravati in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh was the capital of Satvahanas from the 2nd century to 3rd century. It is also one of the major Buddhist sites in the country. It is located close to the upcoming new capital of Andhra Pradesh.

The other cities to be taken up under this scheme are Varnasi, Gaya, Ajmer, Amritsar, Mathura, Dwaraka and Puri are among the 12 cities which would be developed to protect Indian heritage and culture and as a tourist centres.

Naidu said detailed development plans would be worked out in consultation with the ministers of the respective states, other public representatives and officials. He held a meeting with municipal commissioners of these cities on Saturday to receive their suggestions for develop-ment plans.

The Union Minister said the Centre would construct 3,300 houses for the poor in Khammam district for which Rs 101 crore would be sanctioned.