Historic forts in Karimnagar left to decay

Three historic forts in the erstwhile Karimnagar district, Elgandal Hill Fort, Molangur Fort, and Ramagiri Khilla, are in dilapidated condition due to years of neglect by successive state governments, Deccan Chronicle reports. Elgandal Fort, built by the Kakatiya rulers and later a stronghold of the Musunuri chiefs, has damaged walls, overgrown weeds, and a defunct sound-and-light system installed in 2017 at a cost of Rs 4.25 crore. The Tourism department collects Rs 20 per visitor but provides no basic facilities such as drinking water or toilets.

Molangur Fort, built as a transit halt for the Kakatiya dynasty in the 13th century, also lacks maintenance. Village sarpanch Poodari Raju wants a road from the bus stand to the fort and trekking facilities. At Ramagiri Khilla, one of India’s most ancient forts dating to 4000 BC, the state government recently sanctioned Rs 5 crore after efforts by local MLA and IT minister D. Sridhar Babu. The minister has also sought central cooperation from Union Tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to develop it as a tourism hub.

Local residents and sarpanches have given representations without response. They demand basic amenities, restoration of structures, and resumption of the light-and-sound show at Elgandal. Visitor S. Praveen Kumar warned that without immediate steps, the forts could be completely ruined within a decade.