Finally, conservation work begins at Hyderabad's Mecca Masjid

The 400-year-old iconic masjid is in dire need of maintenance, due to dilapidated walls and leaking roofs.
Finally, conservation work begins at Hyderabad's Mecca Masjid
Finally, conservation work begins at Hyderabad's Mecca Masjid
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In a much-awaited move, conservation and restoration of Hyderabad's historic Mecca Masjid finally began on Sunday, with a Mumbai-based company starting work.

The Deccan Chronicle reported that Laxmi Hericon Pvt Ltd was undertaking the work, while the State Department of Archaeology and Museums (DAM) would oversee it. 

“We have decided to work on the exterior and the terrace. So far, we have cleaned up the madrasa building,” Syed Sharjeen Yawar, project engineer of the company told DC.

The newspaper report also adds that the experts are looking to address other issues, like bird excreta, as hundreds of pigeons have made the structure their home. 

Last month, activists in Hyderabad launched a ‘Save Mecca Masjid’ campaign, to preserve the historical monument.

The campaign was aimed at highlighting the need to restore the 400-year-old iconic masjid.

Heritage activists had pointed out that the negligence in the maintenance of the monument resulted in dilapidated walls and leaking roofs. 

Mecca Masjid, a 17th-century monument, is one of Hyderabad's oldest structures and stands just a few metres away from the city's iconic Charminar.

In July this year, a portion of the Masjid’s Masjid's Shahi Mausoleum was damaged after Hyderabad witnessed heavy rains.

Even before the rains, the Masjid had numerous structural problems that required urgent attention, with major cracks developing on the roof of the mausoleum.

Despite, several promises by the government during Ramzan each year, funds to restore the Masjid and take up other developmental work go unsanctioned.

Many have pointed fingers at politicians, for remembering the heritage structure only during the holy month each year.

The work to be taken up includes restoration of the structure, as well as installation of CCTV cameras in the Masjid.

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