T. Raghumurthy and officials inspect the Maharshi Valmiki statue grounds near Legislators’ Home. Photo: Supplied
Bengaluru: The two-acre grounds around the Maharshi Valmiki statue in front of Legislators’ Home may be opened to the public as part of a proposed Tapovana development, Scheduled Tribes Welfare Minister T. Raghumurthy said. Public access remains under consideration and will require security-related approvals.
The minister announced the development plan after a meeting with senior officials of the Scheduled Tribes Welfare, Public Works, Police and Information and Public Relations departments at Vidhana Soudha on Saturday.
Hampi temple model for the proposed Tapovana
The grounds near Vidhana Soudha are to be developed on the model of Hampi’s Hazara Rama temple, with stone carvings based on Valmiki and the Ramayana. Landscaping, lighting and a public-address system are also planned, Raghumurthy said.
The Public Works Department has been instructed to prepare a detailed project report. The announcement did not specify a budget or completion deadline.
Following the meeting, the minister and senior officials inspected the site for more than an hour and discussed the features to be included across the area.
Public entry subject to security clearance
The statue grounds have so far not been freely accessible to the public. Police officials explained that opening the area would require permission from the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council secretariats on security grounds.
Raghumurthy said the matter would be discussed with the authorities concerned and a decision taken soon. If public access is permitted, the Police Department would need to arrange round-the-clock security, he added.
Scheduled Tribes Welfare Department Secretary M. Kanagavalli, Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Managing Director Ashok Dudaganti, department Director Ashok D.R., officials K.R. Rajkumar and H. Shadaksharayya, Chief Architect Rajeshwari Basur and senior PWD, police and information department officials attended.
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