Ropeway to Ramagiri Fort gets Centre’s nod, ₹2.46 crore sanctioned
HYDERABAD: The long-pending demand for a ropeway to the historic Ramagiri Fort in Peddapalli district has finally been met, with the Union government approving funds for the project.
Ropeway and development works sanctioned
The Centre has sanctioned ₹2.46 crore for a 2.1 km ropeway from the foothills to the fort, which will allow devotees and tourists to reach the hilltop more easily. An additional ₹2.5 crore has been sanctioned for other development works aimed at turning the site into a major tourism destination.
Earlier this year, the state government had also allocated ₹5 crore through the tourism department for the fort’s development.
Fort with a rich history
Located six kilometres from Begampet mandal headquarters, Ramagiri Fort dates back to the 1st century. Built on hillocks, the stone structure has withstood centuries of neglect. Rediscovered by the Archaeology Department, it was earlier accessible only through a trek from Begampet due to the absence of proper roads.
Historians trace the region’s roots to around 4,000 BC, with evidence from Peddabonkur and Gunjapadu indicating rule under Satavahana kings Goutamiputra Satakarni and Pulomavi. The fort later came under the Kakatiyas in 1158 after Gundaraju of the Chalukyas was defeated. It was subsequently ruled by the Sultans (1442–1457), Mughals (1595), and Golconda Nawabs (1608).
The fort houses nine cannons and 40 stone festoons, six of which were reportedly removed by the Chennur Deshmukhs. Botanists have noted the presence of rare medicinal plants on the hillocks.
Past proposals and renewed push
Despite its historical value, the fort remained neglected for decades. Former Union minister Ch Vidhyasagar Rao had once undertaken a padayatra to highlight its tourism potential and submitted a report to the Centre. Though ₹20 lakh was sanctioned earlier for a road from the main road to the foothills, the plan was shelved after security warnings from Naxal groups.
Former Karimnagar collector Neetu Kumari Prasad had also proposed tourism development projects, which did not progress.
Recently, local MLA and minister D Sridhar Babu met Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and sought central support to develop Ramagiri Fort as a major tourism hub in northern Telangana.
