Cobble stones, granite give buffer to Charminar project

HYDERABAD: The buffer zone on all four sides of Charminar has been completed with cobble stones and granite as part of Charminar Pedestrian Project (CPP). Officials said they will now take up work on the Pathergatti and Laad Bazaar stretch.



After conserving Laad Bazar and Phattergati, theme lighting for the monument and surrounding areas is on the cards for heritage lovers. Before taking up its conservation, 28 movable hydraulic bollards and 125 fixed bollards will be set up on the monument’s sides, officials said.

The government has instructed the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials to take inputs of locals, while executing the CPP. The officials spoke to the people in Pathergatti, and Laad Bazaar stretch at length.

“Most people in Laad Bazar are with the government and are happy about the monument and surrounding area being conserved,” said Md Musharraf Ali Faruqui, GHMC additional commissioner for CPP energy and special project director.

Laad Bazar stretch will be renovated and chemical wash will also be done on walls. The idea is to ensure uniform pattern of all shops, including paintings and hoardings, by removing encroachments.

The CPP project which has been taken up at a cost of Rs 35.10 crore decades ago. Apart from GHMC which spent Rs 20 crore, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) granted Rs 8.19 crore for development and beautification of Charminar. They granted this fund as the monument has been listed as one of the of Swachh Iconic Places (phase two).

Cleaning machines at Rs 2 crore, battery-operated vehicles and public toilets would come up with the amount granted by NTPC.