Karnataka to build an elevator in Gol Gumbaz
FollowIf the grand plans of the Karnataka government are to be believed, then the over 300-year-old Gol Gumbaz, which is the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah, Sultan of Bijapur, will soon have an elevator.
The state government claims that it is taking this measure in the interest of the elderly who visit the tomb, located in Bijapur.
“As many aged persons and little children find it hard to go through the minarets of Gol Gumbaz, we have proposed for an elevator,” state Tourism minister, R V Deshpande said during an official tour of Vijayapura (formerly Bijapur) on Sunday.
Deshpande said that the government would give a ₹10-crore grant for building the necessary infrastructure at the historical monument. It is, however, not clear whether the archaeological department had a say in the matter as installing an elevator would require extensive work on the ancient structure.
Built in 1656, Gol Gumbaz is the second largest dome in the world. It is second in size only to St. Peter's Basilica, Rome. The ancient structure has four minarets, which lead to the top dome.
