GHMC detects heritage traps'

Hyderabad: A game is played often by private parties owning heritage structures. They approach the GHMC saying the building is dilapidated, poses a danger to life, and needs demolition. What they want is to have the GHMC demolish it so that they can erect bigger commercial structures there, say GHMC officials.

The Malvala Palace on Sardar Mahal Road is an example of a building that, instead of being restored to its original glory, was razed in a jiffy. Now, instead of demolishing such “dilapidated” buildings, the GHMC would give property tax exemption for these structures and transfer development rights.

A senior GHMC officer explained, “In Sultan Bazaar, a three-floor heritage building is owned by private parties. They are after the GHMC planners, saying it’s dilapidated and time is up for its demolition.

They want to give the space for fresh development. There are several structures,  wherein the forefathers had given the building for charity, but now the new generation seeks to demolish them and erect new complexes. They want to take advantage of the steep hike in market prices. In Masab Tank too, a heritage structure that could have been restored was demolished as the party was keen on building a commercial complex there.”

Deputy planner for GHMC, Srinivas Rao, explained, “GHMC is willing to
give property tax exemption for dilapidated heritage buildings and provide them TDR (transfer of development right). It means the party can raise a building on land granted by the GHMC.

In case a building is listed as a protected structure and is posing a danger to life, the GHMC will write to the government to delist the building. The engineering wing will conduct an inspection. Based on the report, the building will either be restored or demolished. About the Ramgopalpet police station, the GHMC officials state that the building needs no demolition and can be restored.