Category Archives: Historical Links / Pre-Independence

Lallaguda Carriage Workshop – a unique unit of Railways

Business & Economy, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

Railway Carriage Workshop (Mechanical) of South Central Railway at Lalaguda in Hyderabad on Monday. -Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu
Railway Carriage Workshop (Mechanical) of South Central Railway at Lalaguda in Hyderabad on Monday. -Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu

Once the South Central Railway was formed on October 2, 1966, the workshop became a major facility for the zone and it was in 1997 that it got its current name as Carriage Workshop.

Do you know how long it takes for a railway coach to go through a periodic overhaul (POH) and what is the average lifespan of a coach? How many hours are spent on cleaning up a coach after every long, overnight trip? How many wheel and axle assemblies does a coach have and how much does each of the assemblies weigh?

Answers to these and more questions were made available to the media on Monday, during a rare, ‘Media Visit’ to the Carriage Workshop at Lallaguda, run by the South Central Railway (SCR), that maintains the approximately 5,000 coaches / bogies with a similar workshop near Tirupati.

A workshop with a 123-year-old history, it was born on September 30, 1893 under the aegis of the ‘Nizam Guaranteed State Railways’ with the task of undertaking POH and repairs to broad and metre gauge steam locomotives, coaches and wagons.

It was then brought under the purview of the Nizam State Railways and later in 1951 was under the control of the Central Railways.

Once the South Central Railway was formed on October 2, 1966, the workshop became a major facility for the zone and it was in 1997 that it got its current name as Carriage Workshop. It is now going through a major, Rs.90-crore expansion as a part of which Rs.30 crore has already been spent, said Chief Workshop Engineer Som Kuwar, who has the responsibility of maintaining the 5,000-odd coaches in the two workshops.

Mr. Kuwar said the Lallaguda facility was the first workshop on Indian Railways to implement the Workshop Information System (WISE) developed by the Centre for Railway Information System, apart from having a fully-automated Distributor Valve Testing Machine uniquely-designed in-house by the Indian Railways and a Coach Management System software for day-to-day monitoring of POH.

A visit to the Lallaguda workshop shows the scale of operations that are undertaken by the approximately 3,500-odd workforce at the facility. From achieving the highest Out-Turn of 5.8 coaches a day the number today stands at roughly about seven coaches a working day. The facility complex that spans 13.97 hectares with a covered area of 4.25 hectares and a track length of 8.25 km operates on a budget of Rs.267.5 crore in the current financial year.

Its activities include overhaul of all passenger-carrying coaches including those manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory and Rail Coach Factory, Diesel Electrical and Diesel, Hydraulic Multiple Units, the MMTS coaches, the German-made Linke Hofmann Busch coaches and those of the Double-Decker trains apart from all departmental coaches, said Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer Hemu Singh in a power-point presentation.

The workshop maintains a whopping 55 wheel and axle assemblies every day using a specialised lathe machine. The checks for wheel and axle that has a normal life span of six years, include ultrasound to detect internal cracks and one crack is enough for it to be scrapped. The average lifespan of a coach is about 25 years, mediapersons were informed.

The Head of the Lallaguda facility, Chief Workshop Manager Uday Kumar Reddy explained that among its unique selling propositions (USP) were maintenance of the Heritage John Morris Fire Engine that is an exhibit at the National Rail Museum in New Delhi and a predominantly wooden-body coach built in the year 1890 and is stationed at the workshop here itself.

Summing up, SCR’s Chief Public Relations Officer M. Umashankar Kumar said the fact that the workshop was gearing up to take up POH of coaches once in two years was an indicator of its improving efficiency levels. The POH apart, officials work on checking and cleaning up of every coach for about six hours after every overnight trip.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Suresh Krishnamoorthy / Hyderabad – February 22nd, 2016

Monograph on writer Suddhala Hanumanthu released

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

Poet Venu Sankoju, the author of the monograph on Suddala Hanumanthu.— Photo: Singam Venkataramana
Poet Venu Sankoju, the author of the monograph on Suddala Hanumanthu.— Photo: Singam Venkataramana

The Akademi had assigned the job to famous poet and writer from Nalgonda, Venu Sankoju. It was brought out under the title ‘The Makers of Indian Literature’.

Paying tributes to noted writer Suddhala Hanumanthu (1910-1982), who had actively taken part in the Telangana Armed Rebellion, Sahitya Akademi brought out a monograph on his life and contributions to Telugu language.

The Akademi had assigned the job to famous poet and writer from Nalgonda, Venu Sankoju. It was brought out under the title ‘The Makers of Indian Literature’ by the Akademi with an intention to reintroducing famous Indian writers to younger generation, especially those who had made outstanding contribution to Indian literature and language throughout their life. The author, Venu Sankoju, told The Hindu that the oppression of people by landlords during the Nizam rule had inspired Suddhala Hanumanthu to become a writer and singer. To highlight the plight of rural people during the Nizam rule, Mr. Venu Sankoju said writer Hanumanthu had given folk performances like Yakshaganam, Burrakatha, Gollasuddulu, Rajakiya Sadhuveshalu and others to sensitise the people.

Mr. Sankoju said the death of Doddi Komaraiah and Chakali Ilamma’s heroic fight against Visunur Desmukh motivated writer Hanumanthu.

Explaining the life of the poor during the Nizam era, the author had given a detail account in the 102-page monograph on the practice of bonded labour which writer Hanumanthu strongly opposed. His association with Arya Samaj and his family’s migration from Paladugu village to Suddhala village was found mention. Mr. Sankoju said when shoot at site orders were issued by the Nizam in 1947 against writer Hanumanthu, he fled to Bombay and worked as a tailor for a living.

It is be a must read for people who love to read the crucial phase in the Telangana history.

Mr. Venu Sankoju, a retired lecturer, has written many poems like Manishiga Puche Matti , Manam , Nelakala , Prana Pradhamina and others and he was editor the editor of Veera Telangana monthly. He has also won Sahitya Purashkaram given by the Telugu University.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by T. Karnakar Reddy / Nalgonda – February 01st, 2016

Celebrating the birth of Laxminagar

About Telangana, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

Kommalapati China Akkaiah being felicitated at Laxminagar in Medak district on Friday night.— Photo: Mohd Arif
Kommalapati China Akkaiah being felicitated at Laxminagar in Medak district on Friday night.— Photo: Mohd Arif

Two elders who were witness to the formation of the village felicitated on the occasion

A 90-year-old resident of Laxminagar village in Papannapet mandal, Kommalapati China Akkaiah, was felicitated by Kommalapati Venkateswara Rao (85), another resident of the village, as part of the celebrations in connection with the birth of the village.

The village came into existence in 1948, a year after the Indian Independence. The Telangana region was liberated from the Nizam rule by the Indian Government under the directions of the then Home Minister Sardar Vallab Bhai Patel.

Chinna Akkaiah and Venkateswara Rao are the only two who are alive out of the 14 families that had migrated from Prakasham and Guntur districts of Andhra Pradesh to Laxminagar village in search of a livelihood in the newly-liberated State.

“We sold our small chunks of land at our native places and migrated here along with our family. This area was like a forest then and we began our life by grazing cattle and slowly cleared the forest,” Chinna Akkaiah told The Hindu recalling the days when he first arrived here. For the first time in the recent past, the birth of a village was celebrated.

“We honoured the two persons who are there since the formation of the village and it feels great. Later, we also held a meeting of all the five committees working in the village,” said Yedukondalu, a resident of the village.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by R. Avadhani / Sangareddy – January 17th, 2016

Neglected Armenian cemetery in Hyderabad sports new look

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, World Opinion

State Archaeology and Museums all set to put new life into most neglected heritage monument of the 17th century Armenian Cemetery situated at Uppuguda (Opiguda) in Hyderabad'old city will likely to opened for the general public and tourists. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf
State Archaeology and Museums all set to put new life into most neglected heritage monument of the 17th century Armenian Cemetery situated at Uppuguda (Opiguda) in Hyderabad’old city will likely to opened for the general public and tourists. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf

The existence of the cemetery of Armenians was brought to light by Mohammed Ziauddin Ahmed Shakeb, a historian from the city in 1970.

Two of Hyderabad’s most famous Armenians, Albert Abid and Alexander Jacob, are not buried at the Armenian cemetery in Uppuguda. But the cemetery is preparing to enlighten people on the role of the two Armenians in the 16 and 17 century. After lying in a state of neglect for decades, the Armenian cemetery, will be opened to public shortly.

The Department of Archaeology and Museums, which is the custodian of the cemetery, renovated the premises some months ago.

“ A caretaker will be posted at the cemetery to look after its maintenance,” said Sunita M. Bhagwath, Director, Archaeology and Museums Department.

Armenians came to India between 16th and 17th centuries as traders travelling through Persia, Afghanistan and Tibet. “A large number of Armenians settled in Hyderabad during the 17th century. Though there are no written records of their activities, traditions and social conditions , the Armenian epitaphs acknowledge their presence,” M.A. Qayyum, former Deputy Director Archaeology and Museums said.

There are about 20 graves in the cemetery, 19 are of Armenians and one is of a Dutch trader.

The graves of two priests Rev Johannes, who died in 1680, and Rev. Margar, who died in 1724, are also here. A single dome on the premises representing the Qutb Shahi style of architecture and two mandapa-like structures, one square and the other octagonal, are distinct features of the cemetery.

The existence of the cemetery of Armenians was brought to light by Mohammed Ziauddin Ahmed Shakeb, a historian from the city in 1970.

“Dr. Shakeb chanced upon a letter written by British Resident W. Haig in Hyderabad to a government official in 1907 about the Armenian cemetery. Soon, officials were informed about it and the place was identified,” Qayyum explained.

Rs. 25 lakh for renovation
The department spent around Rs. 25 lakh for renovating the place. Wild shrubs were cleared and the height of the compound wall has been increased. The authorities took care to see that the wall was renovated using granite, lime and mortar to keep in tune with the character of the precinct.

The tough task ahead for them is to see that the basalt stones with Armenian engravings on the graves are restored. “We will be seeking the help of experts for the job,” Ms. Bhagwath said. Historians suggest that the government seek the Armenian authorities’ help in establishing the identity of all those who are buried here.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Asif Yar Khan / Hyderabad – October 31st, 2015

Babejhari merits its place in history

Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Atram Rajubai of Babejhari vaguely remembers Kumram Bheem as a fiery youngster back in the 1940s.– Photo: S. Harpal Singh
Atram Rajubai of Babejhari vaguely remembers Kumram Bheem as a fiery youngster back in the 1940s.– Photo: S. Harpal Singh

The village of Jodeghat may have rightly become synonymous with the struggle for rights on forest land waged by legendary Gond rebel Kumra Bheemu, now famously known as Kumram Bheem, in the late 1930s and in 1940s as he attained martyrdom there. There, however, is another lesser known village of Babejhari located on the same Kerameri highlands in Adilabad district which needs to get its due recognition as it was the centre of Bheem’s activities for almost the entire period of the struggle against the Nizam’s forest and land policy.

The Babejhari and Jodeghat incidents find a mention in the research paper of social anthropologist Urmila Pingle titled ‘C. von. Furer-Haimendorf: Half a century of his imprint on Tribal Welfare in Andhra Pradesh’. Though brief, this is by far the most authentic of the accounts pertaining to Kumram Bheem and his times as Ms. Pingle had been an associate of professor Haimendorf and evidently got to know of the events through him.

According to the researcher, the rebellion of Kumram Bheem was a result of the forest conservancy move of the Nizam’s government which included eviction of human habitations from forests. Kumram Bheem’s was a small rebellion called Babejhari, named after the village in which it occurred, she notes.

Bheem evidently chose to settle at Babejhari for its seclusion after all his lands in his native village in Asifabad went under illegal occupation of non-tribals. It was at this village that he raised the issue of jal, jangal and jameen and untiringly campaigned for the rights to forest lands in the neighbouring villages in 1939 and 1940.

His new home, nevertheless, was not to be that as he and others who had arrived at Babejhari were forcibly evicted and their huts were razed. At this juncture, Bheem and his dedicated band of Adivasis migrated to Jodeghat where they cleared some forest land for cultivation.

The forest guards turned out to be a difficult lot as they demanded huge bribes from the tribals for tilling forest clearings. Without bribes, they refused to honour even a written permission issued by no less than the Nizam himself to the Adivasis to cultivate 57 acres in Jodeghat.

As the Gond leader refused to evacuate the habitation under pressure from the forest officials, he had to face the consequences. In an unequal battle on September 1, 1940 he and 15 others lost their lives.

Following the Nizam government’s forest conservancy move, Kumram Bheem settled at Babejhari and it was here that he raised the issue of jal, jangal and jameen

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by S.Harpal Singh / October 27th, 2015

‘Demon Bakasura’ is worshipped here

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence

The Bhakasura temple belonging to 14th century in Nainpaka village in Warangal district. Photo: M. Murali
The Bhakasura temple belonging to 14th century in Nainpaka village in Warangal district. Photo: M. Murali

Temples are constructed only for gods and goddesses but here is a temple named after mythological character Bakasura who is identified as a ‘rakshasa’ (demon).

Far away from the district headquarters at Nainpak village in this mandal of Telangana is the temple built centuries ago. It houses a huge boulder on which four statues were sculpted – Yoga Narasimha, Kaliya Mardhana Krishna, Balarama and Sita Rama Lakshmana.

The Yoga Narasimha idol resembles demon Bakasura and people living around came to believe that it was the Bakasura temple.

The neatly carved out idol believed to be that of mythological character demon named Bhakasura in a temple in Nainpaka village in Chityal mandal in warangal district. Photo: M. Murali
The neatly carved out idol believed to be that of mythological character demon named Bhakasura in a temple in Nainpaka village in Chityal mandal in warangal district. Photo: M. Murali

Local lore
Local lore has it that once upon a time Bakasura ruled the land. He protected his subjects but killed those outside his kingdom.

While he came to be known as a demon, his subjects considered him their god and as a tribute, this temple was built.

The structure reflects excellent sculpture. The whole of sanctum sanctorum was carved out of single huge boulder. The ‘sikhara’ was built with bricks. Over the years, this was plundered and damaged by treasure hunters.

Donthula Rajender, a local farmer, said that until two decades ago, people found gold wherever they dug and even farmers found gold coins while ploughing their land. “Many people come here and we do not talk to them out of fear. They drive us away and dig up all over for treasure,” he explained.

This temple came to light in recent times. Retired deputy director of the Archaeology and Museums Department, S. S. Ranga Chary, who is engaged in research on ancient monuments, said the idol was of Yoga Narasimha and not Bakasura as is widely believed. “Since Narasimha is not found with his consort, people think it is Bakasura,” he said.

Unique inmany aspects
According to him, this Vaishnavite temple belongs to the 14th century, corresponding with the post-Kakatiya period. “Undoubtedly, this is a unique temple which is not found anywhere in South India. The State government has recommended for its protection and preservation but the Central government has to consider it,” Mr. Ranga Chary said.

The temple is located adjacent to a sprawling tank and is in a dilapidated state. It is one of the many monuments found across the district, which need to be preserved for their historical value.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National / by Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao / Chityala (Warangal Dt.) / October 08th, 2015

Piecing together State’s rich past

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The Telangana State Archaeology Department has taken up digitisation of negatives of old photographs in Hyderabad. Senior photographer of the department Narsing Rao engaged in the process.— Photo: Nagara Gopal
The Telangana State Archaeology Department has taken up digitisation of negatives of old photographs in Hyderabad. Senior photographer of the department Narsing Rao engaged in the process.— Photo: Nagara Gopal


The department has already categorised 2,795 stampages from Telangana districts and their documentation is to be taken up soon.

The infant State of Telangana would soon have its exclusive centuries-old past documented. In a major initiative, the State Archaeology Department has decided to piece together bits and pieces dating back to centuries culled from different archaeological finds to reconstruct the history of Telangana.

Ancient writings from different locations across the ten districts of the State collected during epigraphy surveys were being categorised and coinages, stone and copper plate inscriptions and other sources would be put together for the purpose. Independent district-wise surveys too form part of the exercise to build local narratives of the past to arrive at the larger picture.

The department has already categorised 2,795 stampages (imprints of stone inscriptions) from the districts and their documentation is to be taken up soon. These orders inscribed in stone shed light on the ruler who installed them, the period and occasion.

“The inscriptions have the names of the rulers, their genealogy and occasion such as donation of land to temples and so on. By deciphering them, we intend to piece the history,” said P. Brahma Chari, Assistant Director of the State Archaeology Department.

Inscriptions from across the districts provide a peep into the past with details such as rulers of that period, historical and cultural aspects, disputes resolved, taxation, revenue collections and lakes developed.

The earliest collection of history in the form of inscriptions and coinage available with the department date back to the Satavahana dynasty (First and second century) found in Kotilingala in Karimnagar district.

“From Satavahana onwards, among other dynasties we have Andhra Ikshvakus, Vishnukundinas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakuta, Kalyani Chalukyas, Kakatiya, Bahmani, Velama, Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi rulers,” Mr. Brahma Chari said.

Epigraphical survey of all the 10 districts was already in progress and inscriptions from five districts of Warangal, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Karimnagar and Medak have been completed and details published.

Director of the Archaeology department Sunita M. Bhagwat said the project was aimed at building up an exclusive history of Telangana with information from historical and archaeological finds and epigraphical surveys.

“We want to piece together the rich cultural and historical past of the State through extensive study of the available stampages and other material,” she adds.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by T. Lalith Singh / Hyderabad – September 28th, 2015

TSTDC Launches Mobile Application, Touch-screen Kiosks

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel, World Opinion

IT minister KT Rama Rao flanked by state government advisor KV Ramanachary, TSTDC chairman P Ramulu and MD Christina Z Chongthu releasing a book on ‘Ancient Temples of Telangana’ on the occasion of World Tourism Day in Hyderabad on Sunday. | EXPRESS Photo
IT minister KT Rama Rao flanked by state government advisor KV Ramanachary, TSTDC chairman P Ramulu and MD Christina Z Chongthu releasing a book on ‘Ancient Temples of Telangana’ on the occasion of World Tourism Day in Hyderabad on Sunday. | EXPRESS Photo

Hyderabad :

Coinciding with the World Tourism Day, the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) entered the online market and launched Android-based mobile phone application and touch-screen kiosks to promote tourism destinations in the state.

The App acts as a virtual guide to users and provides detailed information on the transport, accommodation and history of any chosen place. Any mobile phone user can download this Android-based App free of cost.

The touch-screen kiosks, which will also serve a similar purpose, will be installed at railway stations, bus stations and airports for the benefit of travellers to guide them to the nearest tourist spots.

Information technology minister K T Rama Rao inaugurated the two facilities during World Tourism Day celebrations at Taramati Baradari in the city on Sunday.

Rama Rao advised the TSTDC to explore new trends in tourism promotion such as palace tourism and theme park tourism. “The weekend culture is a developing trend in cities like Hyderabad. It is a good opportunity for the tourism sector to cash in on the growing demand for children’s parks and theme-based restaurants in the city.” He also suggested to TSTDC to develop adventure sports destinations near Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, the TSTDC has announced new initiatives to develop unexplored tourist destinations in the state. Corporation chairman Pervaram Ramulu said that the government was planning to develop theme- based tourism circuits to connect multiple tourist spots under a single package.

An integrated eco-tourism circuit in Mahbubnagar district has been announced recently. A tribal tourism circuit in Warangal district with eight destinations was being developed with an investment of Rs 96.01 crore, he said. On the occasion of the World Tourism Day, the TSTDC presented awards to best performing restaurants, tour operators and guides. ‘One Billion Tourists, One Billion Opportunities’ has been chosen as the theme for Tourism Day celebrations this year. According to a recent report by the United Nations, the global tourism market will have 1.80 billion (100.80 crore) tourists.

To enhance its share in the country’s tourism revenue, the TSTDC is planning to spend Rs 600 crore with a target to develop the tourism spots to global standards.

Tourism secretary B Venkatesham, advisor to the state government KV Ramanachary, TSTDC managing director Christina Z Chongthu and director of archaeology Sunita Bhagawat were also present at the event.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / September 28th, 2015

Buddhist Stupa lies in neglect

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The Buddhist Stupa in Dhulikatta village of Eligaid mandal in Karimnagar district.—Photo: Thakur Ajay Pal Singh
The Buddhist Stupa in Dhulikatta village of Eligaid mandal in Karimnagar district.—Photo: Thakur Ajay Pal Singh

The Buddhist Stupa dating back to 2nd century BC and one of the 30 walled cities mentioned by Megasthenes located in Dhulikatta village of Eligaid mandal in Karimnagar district lies neglected for several decades due to lethargy on the part of the government.

The Archaeology Department had discovered the heritage structure in 1975 along the shores of a picturesque rivulet on the outskirts of Dhulikatta village. Barring the discovery of this early Buddhist stupa, the authorities have failed to take up any measures for the development and protection of the heritage site for the promotion of tourism.

In spite of several pleas by the historians and others, the authorities failed to provide road facilities to the ancient protected monumental structure. It is barely 33 km distance from the district headquarters, but still reaching the Stupa is a herculean task due to non-availability of road.

Due to non-availability of security at this structure, the miscreants had damaged the ancient monument and stolen away the antique veneer slabs and other panels and bricks. There were also incidents of miscreants digging the structure in search of treasure hunt. Literally, there is not even a sign board educating the people about the importance of ancient structure to attract tourists.

This Buddhist Stupa was constructed on a mound with light weight bricks. It is embellished with sculpted veneer slabs and beautifully carved limestone slabs. It is stated that site had attained importance as it was constructed with 47 slabs to enhance the dome with the Stupa.

Historians say that the Archaeology authorities had discovered other relics such as gateways built with light weight bricks, mahastupa, chatra, residential houses, wells, bangle pieces, ivory combs, gold objects, punch-marked coins, beads, coins of Romans and Satavahanas and seals. Majority of relics were shifted to the present Andhra Pradesh State Museum and only a few antiques lie in the Karimnagar museum.

AD (Archaeology) Premsagar told The Hindu on Tuesday that the Telangana State government was planning to develop Buddhist circuit covering Dhulikatta and other ancient Buddhist structures located in Nalgonda district which will also promote tourism.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Karimnagar – September 23rd, 2015

Ancient twin caves discovered in Nalgonda

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The twin caves which were discovered at Gajubeda village in Nalgonda district . Photo : Singam Venkataramana
The twin caves which were discovered at Gajubeda village in Nalgonda district . Photo : Singam Venkataramana

It is arguably the oldest in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

In a significant discovery, the Department of Archaeology and Museums has come across naturally formed ancient twin caves which pre-historic man could have made his habitation in Nalgonda district of Telangana on Thursday. According to experts in the Department of Archaeology, the 200-metre-deep caves, a rare find, are probably the oldest-ever discovered in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Local tribal leaders Lalu Nayak and Bikku Nayak informed archaeology officials about the caves at Gajubeda Tanda, a hamlet under Kacharajupally grama panchayat in Chandampet mandal. The place is just a couple of km from Nagarjunasagar backwaters and very close to Dindi rivulet.

Assistant Director at Archaeology and Museums P. Nagaraju told The Hindu that as of now they have found no archaeological evidences like paintings inside the cave.

The twin caves have 15-metre radius at the entry point but the size narrows down. One of the twin caves is 50 feet deep and the other 200 metres.

He had discussed the find with many experts who confirmed they had never found such massive naturally formed caves in the past. However, he observed that it needed to be studied further by experts. The Assistant Director along with District Tourism Officer M. Shivaji and K. Narasimhulu and others visited the place.

Tourism potential
Mr. Shivaji said that the place could be developed into a great adventure tourism spot. Since it was located very close to Nagarjunasagar, Krishna and Dindi rivers, the Tourism officer said they would include these caves in the proposed Devarakonda, Chandampet tourism circuit.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National / by T. Karnakar Reddy / Nalgonda – September 12th, 2015