Hampi sees increase in footfall after restrictions are lifted
The Hindu
The World Heritage Site in Karnataka was closed for over two months during the second wave of COVID-19
Tourists have begun to make their way to Hampi, a World Heritage Site that was closed for over two months during the second wave of COVID-19. The site was opened to visitors in the last week of June. Though the Union government had decided to open sites managed by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from June 16, Hampi remained closed for some more days owing to a high number of COVID-19 cases in Vijayanagara and Ballari districts. The administration lifted restrictions on June 24 after the positivity rate dropped below 5% in the twin districts, and allowed the entry of tourists.The election authorities are gearing up for the counting of votes cast in the simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, scheduled to be held on June 4. The Collectors and Election Officers of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) districts said on May 23 (Thursday) that their teams were ready for the counting of votes.
Responding to the prolonged water scarcity, the residents of the area took to the streets in protest on Wednesday. The protest, which drew attention to their plight, stopped only after the intervention of the police. It was not until 1.30 p.m. that a 4000-litre tanker was finally delivered by BWSSB, providing relief to the water-starved residents.