Red Fort not alone; Dalmia Bharat also adopting 14th century Gandikota Fort

While Dalmia Bharat group will be beginning a facelift work at Delhi’s iconic Red Fort in the coming weeks, it is also gearing up to start work on the 14th century Gandikota Fort in Andhra Pradesh under the government’s ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme. The contract for the Gandikota Fort located in the Kadapa district of the state was signed by the Dalmia Bharat group on the same day as it signed the Red Fort deal with the Union ministries of tourism and culture and the Archaeological Survey of India, on April 9, 2018.

Dalmia Bharat officials said they adopted the Gandikota Fort since it was located close to their cement factory in the district which makes it logistically easier for them to monitor development and maintenance work at the monument overlooking a stunning gorge carved by the Pennar river in Andhra Pradesh.

“The location of the Gandikota Fort is quite remote. It is a living monument, with many households residing there. We do not want to evict any of them and wish to involve them in the monument’s maintenance. One of our primary tasks will be cleaning up the area as certain parts are being used as open toilets. No one wants to smell ammonia while strolling through the Fort,” said Sundeep Kumar, executive director of Dalmia Bharat group.