Moazzam Jahi Market to be restored in 4 months

Arvind Kumar, Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration & Urban Development, today set himself a deadline of 3 to 4 months for restoring the Moazzam Jahi Market complex. In a very public event cheered by netizens, Mr. Kumar tweeted at 8.02 a.m.: “Based on the advice of Minister @KTRTRS, I am adopting #MJ Market for its complete #heritage restoration. Seen below is its present condition! My time frame is 3-4 months. Seeking suggestions & participation of #Hyderabadis in this effort.”

He posted a few photographs to show the sad state of the building which was once an arcaded shopping complex and added an email id for interaction with citizens: “Please send your contact details at ‘mjmarket.restoration@gmail.com’ and what is it you wish to get involved in.

We will be delighted to have you on board in our Team MJ Market Restoration.”

Within hours, citizens were galvanised into action with dozens of suggestions ranging from whom to involve with the restoration project, to how to maintain the structure, to volunteers willing to take up small tasks gratis.

“Let us know whatever support Sir. We shall come forward and first completely clean it up as a part of CSR, since we are from facility industry,” wrote Bharanidhar Tarimana.

The City Improvement Board which was created in the aftermath of the great flood of September 1908 built the landmark shopping complex in 1935 at a cost of ₹4 lakh and was named after the then CIB president Prince Moazzam Jah.

“Is restoring the main entrance part of the plan? I remember the entrance had a sign board with brass letters at the entrance. I wrote letters to various officials asking for restoring the lettering but nothing has been done,” says Sajjad Shahid, an engineer and a keen chronicler of the city.

An archival image by Life photographer Jack Birns shows the brass lettering in Urdu as well as bullock carts in foreground.

Now, a grotesque signage advertising an ice cream brand defaces the entrance. The facade has a limited view due to the Metro passing bang in front of the complex.

“The building is in a good condition its restoration is not a problem. Its maintenance is,” says Mr. Shahid who believes that it was designed by Vincent Esch going by the style and grammar of the architecture.