Madikeri: Retired commissioner of the Karnataka State Information Commission JS Virupakshaiah, a resident of Kodagu, has appealed to chief minister DK Shivakumar to help preserve and develop Maikeri’s historic fort.Earlier, Virupakshaiah filed a petition in the high court to direct the state govt to preserve the old fort. Following this, the authorities took up works, which, he said, are incomplete.Monuments of historical and cultural importance, including the Madikeri Fort built by the kings who ruled Kodagu, are in a dilapidated condition. A public interest litigation was filed in the high court after the govt did not receive adequate support for its restoration. Considering the arguments, documents and historical examples presented during the hearing of the petition, the HC directed the Karnataka govt to take necessary action. Accordingly, an amount of about Rs 10.5 crore was released and the work was ordered to be carried out through the Archaeological Survey of India. Although repair work of the Madikeri Palace was taken up following the release of the grant, the work has not been fully completed even after four years, Virupakshaiah stated in the letter to the CM.In addition, the repair and conservation work of the historical fort around the palace has not yet started. An estimated Rs 3 crore is required for these works, and the roads around the palace are completely in a dilapidated condition, and their development and repair are also required. In total, an additional grant of Rs 5 crore is required, he stated and sought money from the CM.
