Hyderabad police encroach footpath near Charminar, build 'illegal' structure

The construction took place next to the city's historic Mecca Masjid, and was halted after locals and politicians objected to it.
Hyderabad police encroach footpath near Charminar, build 'illegal' structure
Hyderabad police encroach footpath near Charminar, build 'illegal' structure
Written by:

The Hyderabad Police may have violated norms of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as it encroached a footpath and started constructing a wall, within the restricted zone of Charminar.

The construction began taking place right next to the city's historic Mecca Masjid, and was halted after locals and politicians objected to it.

Construction within 200-metres of the Charminar is banned by the ASI, as it a heritage monument. 

The Times of India reported that the police planned to turn the structure into a picket. 

“There is a picket at the spot. Then, police used some sort of material to turn it into a temporary shelter. Now, they have raised walls. The walls have been constructed on the footpath,“ a Mecca Masjid official, who did not wish to be identified, told TOI.

Charminar MLA Ahmed Pasha Quadri from the AIMIM also visited the spot with his followers and said that the police did not have permission. He also pointed out that they encroached the footpath. 

ASI will reportedly look into the matter on Friday.

In November last year, the people behind an under-construction building on the west of Gulzar Houz, were issued a show-cause notice from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) for violating the rule.

In 2015, a complaint was filed against a former MIM corporator, after he allegedly struck a deal with a shop owner and took up construction of a two-storied building around 50 meters from Charminar.

Charminar, which was built during Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah's rule in 1591, is a protected structure, as any construction within 200 meters around the monument can only be done after permission is obtained from the ASI and the National Monument Authority.

Despite being recently restored, the structure still faces a threat from fumes, vibrations, dust and smoke.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The News Minute
www.thenewsminute.com