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Museums, forts to get facelift in state
The Department of Archaeology and Museums decided to give a facelift to the museums and forts in order to promote tourism as well as preserve the rich heritage and culture of the State.
Vijayawada: The Department of Archaeology and Museums decided to give a facelift to the museums and forts in order to promote tourism as well as preserve the rich heritage and culture of the State.
The State and Central governments are sanctioning grants to the Department of Archaeology and Museums to conserve the monuments and valuable coins, antiques, stone sculptures, idols, earthen pots, weapons used by soldiers and people during the last 2000 years.
The Department of Archaeology and Museums preserves 257 monuments and maintains 13 museums in the State. Kurnool Museum, which was totally damaged in 2009 Krishna river floods will get a facelift and important monuments and antiques traced in Rayalaseema region will be preserved in Kurnool museum.
Commissioner of the Department of Archaeology and Museums G Vani Mohan told The Hans India that Kurnool museum will be developed very soon. Similarly, a new museum will be constructed in Eluru and all antiques traced in Godavari districts will be shifted to the museum.
The East Godavari district has its own museum at Rajamahendravaram. Hundreds of stone idols and antiques were recovered while digging the earth for construction of Polavaram Project. All these artefacts will be shifted to Eluru.
She said the State is well known for having many historical monuments, stone sculptures, structures, temples, Buddhist sites dated back to 2nd century BC. These valuable antiques and sculptures reflect the history and glory of Andhra Pradesh.
After bifurcation of the State, the Andhra Pradesh government had not taken initiative to develop the museums and forts for three years. It may be due to fund crunch or other reasons. Now, the State and Central governments are sanctioning grants for the development of museums and forts, said Vani Mohan. Bapu Museum in Vijayawada will get high quality showcases, lighting and CC cameras, she added.
The construction of Padmasri Kalluri Subbarao memorial district archaeological museum in Anantapur is also on the cards. The department has collected hundreds of stone sculptures dated back to 2nd century BC, coins, bronze coins, paintings and manuscripts.
Unfortunately, most of these valuables are not properly displayed to the public due to lack of facilities particularly showcases in the museums. Many forts are in a state of neglect. Kondapalli Fort in Krishna district has no basic amenities like drinking water and toilets.
Historian E Sivanagireddy said Andhra Pradesh can attract a large number of tourists by giving facelift to the museums and forts. He pointed out that the State possessed historical forts, monuments, Buddhist sites, Hindu temples and many more to attract the tourists.
