Quarrying in the vicinity of the historic fort, constructed by Kakatiya Kings, is taking a heavy toll on the structure

Rampant granite quarry operations in the vicinity of historic Molangur Fort constructed by Kakatiya Kings in Shankarpatnam mandal is taking a heavy toll on the structure.

Listed as protected site by the Archaeological Department, the fort was constructed on a hillock by Voragiri Moggaraju, one of the chief officers of Prathapa Rudra of Kakatiya dynasty. It was constructed as a transit halt for Kakatiyas while travelling from Orugallu fort in Warangal to Elgandal fort in Karimnagar.

The fort is constructed on a huge granite that made it difficult for anybody to climb it from any side. There is a beautiful tank on the fort and also on its foothills. A special well called ‘Doodh Bowli’ (well as pure as milk). Time has taken a heavy toll on the fort which is damaged and polluted by granite quarrying. Several megalithic burials inside the fort have been destroyed.

Molangur sarpanch Tirupathaiah said blasting undertaken for quarrying granite damaged the fort. There was severe sound pollution due to rampant granite quarrying. Locals were also falling ill due to the dust raised by the quarrying. He lamented that despite several representations to the district administration, no action has been initiated so far.

Telangana Bhoomi Rakshana Sangham convenor S. Sujatha said that hoisting of national flag on Golkonda fort alone would not solve the

purpose of protection of ancient history and heritage of Telangana. The government should also protect other ancient structures such as

Elgandal fort, Molangur fort, Kamanpur villages, which have great history of the region.

Demanding that the government stop quarrying, she urged the government to declare all hillocks as tourist spots so that revenue could be generated from the heritage structures. Retired principal of Government Degree College Jagtial and historian. Dr Jaikishan said that there was no check on quarry operations, he said and added that the fort would collapse if frequent blasting and quarrying went on unchecked.