After many assurances over the past decade, we could say finally the most neglected historic Belagavi fort will be restored in way that it looked in 800 years ago under the Belagavi smart city project(SCP). Apart from restoration of fort, rejuvenation of moat around the fort, boating in the moat, garden in front of fort and other beautification works have been planned. Belagavi smart city (BSCL) Ltd. has prepared an action plan to take up these works in first phase.
BSCL has prepared an action plan with an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore plan giving title ‘fort and moat’ to it in the first phase on priority basis.
Ancient Kamal basadi, centuries old Shivalayas, Ramakrishna mission Ashram, Durgadevi temple, Safa and Jamia Mosque, Military canteen and quarter’s, school, central and state governments various departments are situated in inside the fort.
Provisions have been made to beautify the fort from the inside, the open areas in the fort which is spread over in 1 km radius. The moat surrounded to fort is planned to clean and rejuvenated.
A pipeline will be laid from Fort lake to this moat so that the moat will get filled with water. SCP has Plans to provide boating facility in this moat. Then it has planned to restore the broken walls, bastions, entry gates and other ruin parts of the fort by maintaining its old, rich glory. The existing walking track and the old proposed plan of museum will also be developed under this plan. The inside part of fort will be beautified by installing variety of hitech street lamp, park, laser show and many more things.
Presently, the waste drain water is being released in the moat and the waste unsold vegetable is being dumped by wholesale vegetable vendors as well. Thus the moat has turned filthy and spreading bad odor in the area. The walls and bastions have got many cracks and it also collapsed in some parts. weeds are grown over the walls. It was many years demand that the fort should be restored and make it tourist spot.
Historian Nitin Khot said it is many decades fight to restore this ancient fort. But since it is in cantonment board limits, the army is not allowing for single development. funds were allocated many a times, but lapsed as the army is not giving permission. It is good opportunity this time to authority as the smart city is central government’s program and cantonment board works under central governments guidelines.
Shashidhar Kurer, MD smart city Ltd. said some part of fort comes under purview of archaeological survey of India (ASI) and rest under cantonment board. We have made communication with both the offices and they have no problems with this project. Survey of work has been completed. We will be taking in in writing with both the Offices before starting the work. However the territorial army (TA) has not allowed for any works in the area where they having offices in fort. Hence that part area will be left from this work project presently. The action Plan is ready and we are expecting the work to start in a month he said.
All said and done, but the work has yet to commence and as the monsoon is approaching we hardly feel any work would be commenced. So the wait for the restoration will be definitely more.