Charminar segment: Lack of civic sense, vulgar display by tourist couples irk locals

 Hyderabad: Huge heaps of filth and garbage, encroachments at Khilwat ground, free parking lots opposite Chowmahalla Palace, damaged drinking water main lines and vulgar gestures made by tourist couples are some of the problems that are cited by people residing in Charminar Assembly constituency.

Over 176 chicken shop owners in the 200-year-old ‘Mahabub Chowk’ now called ‘Murgi Chowk’, who were evacuated by the government, which is constructing a new chicken slaughter house at the same place, have been shifted to Karzane Amrah grounds in Motigalli.

The authorities promised a new building with minus two basements. But after digging the place to lay the foundation around nine months back, they cancelled the minus two floor proposal on finding groundwater after digging a bare three feet deep. Mohammed Ismail, a chicken shop owner, said, “We are not sure that all 176 of us will get shops and by when. Now that work has been stopped, it will take up to two years to complete the new structure. Till then we have to run our business in Karzane grounds.”

In a very disgraceful recent development, over 100 photographers started a ‘free wedding shots’ trend whereupon they encourage tourists couples to give vulgar poses in the proximity of Mecca Masjid and Charminar.

“We have been requesting the photographers not to take vulgar photos of tourist couples that will not only disturb the ‘namazees’ coming out of the historic mosque but can affect the young generation, women and families. The locals are disgusted with this show of vulgarity to earn money,” said Mohammed Jamal Quadri, a senior citizen.

The couples are seen kissing, hugging and giving vulgar poses.

“The main drinking water line connecting Charminar, Hussainialam, Khilwat and Chandulal Baradari has rusted and precious drinking water is getting wasted for the past two months. Despite innumerable reminders, the authorities have failed to repair or replace them with new pipelines”, lamented Habeebunnisa Begum from Chandulal Baradari.

“Around 8,000 migrants occupy the space meant for pedestrians and sell their wares around Charminar. At night, they consume liquor sitting on the boundary wall of the iconic monument and spit on the walls after chewing pan. ASI officials cleaned and whitewashed the walls on umpteen occasions while Charminar police arrested many of them. But they are back with their vices,” said Mohammed Nazeer, a social worker.