Warangal/Guntur: Warangal in Telangana and Amaravati in AP will get a boost to their tourism infrastructure as well as overall development planning after they got the heritage tag.
Warangal will get Rs 30 crore, and Amaravati, Rs 20 crore.

For Hriday, the Centre chooses cities with ancient architecture and culture. The aim of the scheme is to bring effective linkages between tourism and heritage, heritage-adaptive rehabilitation including retrofitting of historic buildings, development and promotion of core tangible economic activities to enhance livelihood avenues among stakeholders.

The scheme aims to make the heritage city not only more tourist-friendly, but also improves quality of life of the locals. Installation of CCTV cameras and provision of Wi-Fi access are some of the focal points.

Warangal has a rich heritage, and with a population of about 10 lakh, is the second largest city in the newly formed Telangana. Kakatiyas who ruled this vast region in peninsular India have left an indelible mark with their unique culture, architecture and irrigation technologies. Many of these structures like the Warangal Fort, 1000-pillar temple and the Ramappa temple have attracted the attention of researchers, professionals, social scientists, historians and travellers.

The ancient Amaravati village on the banks of the Krishna River, adjacent the AP capital area at Tullur, is going to vastly develop due to its selection as a heritage town. Amaravati is an ancient capital that flourished as Dharanikota during the rule of Ikshwakuls, Pallavas, Eastern Chalukyas, Telugu Chalukyas, Kakatiyas and Satavahana regimes.

Narasaraopeta MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao said the Centre would develop Amaravati in various phases and Rs 20 crore would be spent under phase-1. Mr Rao added that the district collector would send a detailed report to the Union government to draft the development plan.