The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is constructing a 600-sq-feet toilet on Golconda Fort, according to a reply furnished by the custodian of the heritage site. Work has already begun at the site situated at 600 metres above the sea level, behind the ancient cave temple of Jagadamba and near the heritage Bala Hissar darbar hall where the last Qutb Shahi king Abul Hasan Tana Shah surrendered to the Mughal forces of Aurangzeb in 1687. The Bala Hissar is one the iconic views of the monument identified with Hyderabad.
“Director General, ASI, is the competent authority to approve the work. On behalf of the ASI, the Directorate Office of ASI, New Delhi, approved the plan to build toilets earlier and the second one was prepared by WAPCOS whose design was approved by the Hyderabad Circle,” says the RTI reply.
The WAPCOS or Water and Power Consultancy Services Limited is a Government of India undertaking functioning under the Union Ministry of Water Resources.
Though the toilet complex in the upper reaches of the fort would not deface or spoil the view of the fort from the ground, considerable damage has already been done to the rock formations behind the Jagadamba temple. On Friday, a heap of pulverised granite could be seen on the spot, along with level markers on the ground. The site abuts a bastion where visitors can see a brass cannon used during the final battle of Golconda.
“I don’t think this should be allowed to happen. Can’t people wait for half an hour to use washrooms? It will deface the fort, which shows layers of civilisation and construction activity from the early 15th century till the beginning of 20th century,” said Anuradha Reddy of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) when her attention was drawn to the development.
The older toilet complex at the base of the fort near the entrance has also been razed to the ground, and a new 1,080-square-foot toilet is being built there. “This toilet complex will be ready in two months as we will use dressed stone. The finish will blend with the construction style of the rest of the fort,” said the contractor working on the site.
While the old plan pegged the cost of construction of toilets at ₹95,22,894, WAPCOS is expected to submit a revised estimate.
“The damage to the fort will not be limited to the top, but I fear it will be spread to a large area as toilets would need water supply. Treatment of sewage will also be another issue,” said Ms. Reddy.