Tummala: Steps afoot to give facelift to Khammam fort

Khammam: Steps would be taken to restore the past pride of the Khammam Qila (fort), Minister for Roads and Buildings Tummala Nageswara Rao, who trekked the fort located on a hillock in the heart of Khammam City, said on Thursday.He, along with District Collector K Ilambarithi and other officials, visited the fort and promised to initiate measure to give a facelift to the fort.

The District Tourism Officer Suman Chakravarthi, who accompanied the Minister, apprised him of the historical importance and the system followed by the erstwhile kings to conserve the water. Emphasising the need for protecting the heritage structure, the Minister said that the onus was not only on the government but also on the people to pass on the culture and heritage to the future generations.

“Steps will be taken to turn Khammam into a tourism hub,” he said. He stated that the district had immense potential to turn into a tourism centre. He said a special authority would be constituted with officials, people’s representatives and locals to develop the fort into a hotspot.

All the development would be taken up before the commencement of Kakatiya Utsavams this year, the Minister added. MLC Balasani Lakshminarayana and Municipal Commissioner Venu Manohar were among others present.