By IANS
New Delhi : The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is acquiring 228 acres of land around the world heritage site in Hampi, ‘the city of ruins’ in Karnataka, at a cost of Rs.83.1 million to provide proper access and facilitate better exposure to the ancient remains.
Archaeological remains at Hampi are scattered in an area of 26 sq km. The world heritage site at Hampi is surrounded by private cultivable land, over which the ASI has no ownership, the culture ministry said.
“This land acquisition will help in providing proper access to some of the monuments and facilitate exposing the ancient remains, which are in private lands,” it said in a statement Thursday.
Hampi is known for the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara empire. Possibly predating the city of Vijayanagara, this village also continues to be an important religious centre, housing the Virupaksha temple.