Errum Manzil is not so heavenly

Hyderabad: Errum Manzil translates into Heavenly Abode. But, nothing about the heritage structure is heavenly. The building is falling apart at its seams, exposing its innards of bricks, seepage of water has led to moss growth in some parts.

The steps leading to the building are broken, plants have sprouted from the walls, pan stains mar the building, painting on the walls has peeled and wooden structures have decayed and are falling apart, hanging precariously. 

The worst part is that the building which once had beautiful gardens now has liquor bottles scattered everywhere along with garbage. Construction year of the building is cited as 1900 by some historians and 1870 by others. However, it is at least 115 years old.

Like the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh government, the newly formed Telangana government too has left the building to go to pieces.

Since the 1950s, the building housed three state government departments, State Archives, Public Works and Roads and Buildings Department. Its present occupant, the R&B department cannot wait to shift from the heritage structure to a swanky nine-storied building by this month end, construction of which is almost complete, right behind the structure.

While the department was submitted a proposal in 2013 to renovate the heritage structure at a cost of '10 crore by conservation architect, G.S.V. Suryanarayana Murthy, on AP government’s behest, no action was taken.

However, to suit the convenience of senior officials the department has over the years added layers of modern materials on the heritage structure like false ceilings and smoothening of walls. When asked, a senior official said no decision has been taken till now as to what will happen to Errum Manzil once they vacate.

Heritage lovers in the city fear that the government might announce its demolition like OGH. However, engineers at R&B department say that the building is structurally strong.