Hampi, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracts a large number of domestic and international tourists.
Vijayanagara District Deputy Commissioner Kavitha S. Mannikeri on Thursday conducted a comprehensive inspection of cleanliness and civic facilities in Hampi. The inspection follows sanitation lapses flagged during Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s recent visit, after which the district administration launched a cleanliness drive. The issue was also taken up at a Union Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, prompting Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to announce a visit to Hampi in the first week of January.
Emphasising the need for better cleanliness, she issued specific instructions to officials to ensure improved upkeep and closer monitoring of tourist areas. The inspection followed concerns over sanitation in Hampi that came to light during Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s recent visit.
The issue was subsequently discussed at a Union Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, where a media report highlighting poor maintenance at the heritage site during the Finance Minister’s visit was taken up. Acting on the report, the state government sought an explanation from the Vijayanagara district administration regarding the lapse.
Union Minister for Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is scheduled to visit Hampi in the first week of January to review the situation. According to district administration sources, his visit is slated for January 6.
During Sitharaman’s visit to Hampi for the Contemplation Workshop related to the upcoming Union Budget, unhygienic conditions, including the presence of human waste near the Kodandarama Temple, were reportedly noticed. Upset over the situation, the Finance Minister curtailed her visit and returned to her private hotel. Around 120 senior Finance Ministry officials had accompanied her.
Officials said Sitharaman expressed strong displeasure with the ASI over the lack of cleanliness at the site and cautioned that strict action would follow if the issue was not addressed before her next visit. During Thursday’s inspection, ASI officials were served a notice for poor maintenance during the Finance Minister’s tour.
A senior district administration official said the notice was issued based on the report published on December 23, which brought national attention to the issue. The official added that the district administration had, over the past two years, repeatedly written to the ASI regarding the lack of public toilets and poor maintenance in Hampi, but no action had been taken.
While steps are being initiated to improve facilities, cleanliness remains a major concern in Hampi, particularly during peak tourist seasons.