More buildings coming up near Charminar

Hyderabad: Even as the government is hoping to get a Unesco heritage tag for Charminar, new constructions are intermittently coming up within 200 metres of it, making the earmarking a remote possibility. 

As per the law, any construction within 200 metres of the edifice is prohibited, but there are enough violators flouting this law and constructing buildings. The Archaeological Survey of India – the caretaker of the monument – is issuing show cause notices to the violators.

The latest construction in the area is a new and glitzy dairy products shop on the Sardar Mahal side. The management of a milk products company has taken over an old restaurant, renovated it and converted it into an outlet for its products. In close proximity was an old dilapidated building which was torn down and another concrete structure has now come up in its place. 

The scenario is no different on the Laad Bazaar side. Here several small houses in the Mohajireen camp dating back to the 50s are being razed and new constructions are coming up in their place. “With more and more concrete structures coming up it in its vicinity it would be highly difficult to get world recognition”, said Mr Karim Ansari, an activist. 

The local ASI incharge of Charminar, conservation assistant V. Gopal Rao said that they are issuing show cause notices to the owners of the properties who are violating the law. 

“We will issue a notice to the violators and inform our head office about it. The higher-ups then send a report to the headquarters in New Delhi and they inform the local district administration asking them to initiate action”, said Mr Rao. The GHMC looks into new constructions only when there are building violations or illegal structures coming up. “When there is a new construction we visit the place and check if the owner has permission or not. Only if specific complaints are made by other government agencies do we act on other parameters”, said an engineering department official. 

Sources said that when the GHMC or other department officials try to initiate action the property owners approach the courts and obtain a stay order from the courts.  

Macca Masjid too not spared
New constructions abutting the historic Macca Masjid have become a cause for worry for heritage activists and regular namazis. They fear that in the long run the practice will damage the historic mosque. 

Three sides of the mosque have residential or commercial areas while a road runs down its front. In the last few years, buildings have come up along the boundary wall of the mosque.

“New floors are being added to the buildings in the Laad Bazaar and Panch Mohalla side and very soon the mosque will be enveloped in a maze of concrete structures”, said Mr Abdul Sayeed, who regularly prays at the mosque.

A few weeks ago, a new construction had come up in the New Laad Bazaar market. When the superintendent of the Macca Masjid complained to the GHMC, the officials stopped the construction. 

“A few days later, the owner put up a tin sheet and constructed a shop once again flouting all rules and regulations. Very soon a new building will come up at the place,” said Mr Syed Qutbuddin, a heritage activist. 

According to the officials of the mosque committee, right behind the Mecca Masjid several new apartments and commercial complexes are planned. “A few had come up years ago but we believe that some new constructions are being planned”, said Mr Muneer Ahmed, who visits the mosque for prayers every day. 

Macca Masjid superintendent Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui said he had written a letter to the GHMC asking it to stop the constructions. “The people are not leaving the mandatory space and this is very dangerous.  I have also alerted our higher officials about it,” he said.